"No," she firmly demands into the phone, pinching the bridge of her nose the relieve the stress headache starting to form. "I'm sure I don't want to go to the funeral," she exasperates for what feels like the millionth time in twenty-four hours to every person she knows.
"Swan, I think you need to for closure, I think it will help-"
"Nolan, listen to me, I've already said my goodbyes and had my closure at the hospital. I don't need to relive it, I'm good," she vows, knowing in her heart this is the best move for her.
In all her life, she has never attended a funeral or wake before, not even her parents', because there wasn't anybody to coordinate one. She's slightly terrified of how she would feel or react at a funeral and she thinks it's best to avoid that situation. Besides, she made her peace with Remy's passing as she held the woman close in the last moments of her life. She doesn't need to pick at the fresh scab, just to make it bleed again.
"Fine, be a stubborn ass," David growls into the phone, provoking her eyes to roll again. "You're there, right? You have one job, then pack your stuff and come home. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, Captain. I'm here now, I will call you when I'm on my way back to New York," she reiterates, sounding as annoyed as a teenager being reprimanded by her father for using the car without his permission.
"Good, goodbye."
"Bye," she grumpily replies and ends the call.
She sits back in her seat and observes the patrons inside Granny's diner on a slow Monday afternoon. There's a few customers, like the short, stocky man fighting his way through a burger on his lunch break (she's come to learn that his name is Leroy), along with the depressed man picking at his BLT club (Ruby calls him Marco), but luckily there aren't too many people around. She truly only needs Ruby to spread the word anyways, so she waits a few minutes more to double check that the waitress is in for the day before she begins.
She allowed herself all of Sunday to wallow in her grief, but as soon as the sun was up on Monday morning, she forced herself to push on. She needs to close this last chapter in her life and there's just a few more things to accomplish before her fresh start in life. A fresh start, starting with a new relationship with the most amazing woman to ever grace the planet. Regina had left at four in the morning, on Sunday, so she could pick up Henry and spend the day with him before school on Monday. Emma called her, just to inform her that she will be heading back into town and that rumors will be spreading, but not to worry and luckily Regina understood.
Green eyes spot a flash of red streaks and tight red, booty-shorts, motivating Emma to exit her car in a haste. She quickly shoots a text to Jones as she walks the path up to Granny's diner.
"Hey Ally," a voice calls out, persuading her to peek up from her phone.
"Hey Robin. How are you?" She asks through a genuine smile while finishing up her text and pocketing her phone.
"Good. How are you? My Aunt Regina had mentioned a family emergency?" She kindly inquires, as they stop right in front of the door to the diner.
"Yeah, I came back into town to grab a few things from home, but then I have to head back," she claims with a sympathetic pout that has Robin mimicking the same frown.
"I'm sorry. I hope your dad recovers soon."
"Thanks. Hey, tell the kid I say hi and I miss him."
"Sure thing. See you later."
"See ya," Emma calls out, watching as Robin heads down the path toward her parked car.
She sighs, wondering if all these people in Regina's life will forgive her just as easily as her girlfriend has. She quickly shoves those thoughts aside, because she has a job to do and she just wants all this madness to end. She yanks open the door, a grin stretching into her cheeks as the familiar bell above the door rings through the restaurant. She really hasn't thought about how much this town has become a part of her life, but now that she's back after a few days away, she's realizing just how much it has seeped into her heart and has become a comfort in her life.
"Ally!" Ruby's voice carries easily through the diner, causing Emma's smile to spread even deeper into her cheeks and creating an adorable dimple in the process. "You're back!"
"Hey Rubes," she beams, strutting over to the counter and sliding into a stool right away.
Their routine is set in stone by now; Emma flipping her cup over and Ruby happily pouring her a cup, three-quarters of the way because she knows how much cream and sugar the blonde uses in her coffee. They are both smiling at one another and Emma feels the weight of her lies, it's settling on her heart and sinking the organ down to the pit of her stomach like an anchor.
She's nauseous.
She's never really had true friends before, the closest thing she has are Jones, who is just a coworker, and her Captain and his wife by default. She knows that her and Ruby just clicked very easily, as well as Belle and she hopes they will forgive her one day for all her lies, because she really wants to keep them around. Although with Belle, she's not truly holding her breath because she's going to lock up her husband, but her fingers are still crossed for Ruby.
"Hey, did Regina tell you?" Ruby inquires, lowering her voice and resting her folded arms upon the counter in front of Emma. "Your ex-husband has been looking for you."
"Yeah well, he's an idiot if he thinks I'm giving him another chance," she grumbles under her breath and slowly sips her coffee, eyeing Ruby closely.
"Has he been texting you?"
"No," she huffs in mock annoyance and sets down her cup gently. "I know his game too well. You see, he doesn't want me to out right reject him, so he'll do a casual, 'oh hey, fancy bumping into you, we should grab a drink and catch up,' spiel. He's too predictable," she scoffs, running her fingers through her hair and holding back her smirk when the bell above Granny's rings loudly.
"Speak of the devil," Ruby gasps, her green eyes glowing as they land upon Jones while she straightens her posture. "Anywhere you'd like?" She politely calls to him with a very fake smile set into place and Emma chuckles inwardly at the sight.
"Thanks," Jones kindly says, strutting confidently up to the counter and slinking into the seat beside Emma. "Hey, Allison, what are the odds?" He cheerfully recites with a perfect New York twang.
"What are the odds?" She fakes her annoyance, rolling her eyes dramatically and scoffing as she moves to sip her coffee.
"Hey, I think Ally wants to be alone right now," Ruby is quick to defend and there's that ache in Emma's newly awakened heart, knowing her new friend is ready to defend her honor.
"I'm sure you're right," Killian says, his eyes never leaving Emma as she sips her coffee and pretends to ignore him. "Allison, please can we just talk? I heard through the grapevine about your dad and I just want to see if you're okay," he sweetly recites, just like a concerned ex-lover would.
"You have eyes, you see I'm just fine," she bitterly bites back, easily slipping into the roll of a hostile ex-wife.
"Please, let's just talk," he whispers so sweetly, leaning into her side and playfully nudging her shoulder. "I know I did some terrible things, but I'm still the same guy who cares very deeply for you," he says with his best innocent eyes as he dramatically bats his long lashes, provoking her eyes to roll. "Come on, let's go for a walk down by the docks, I saw a beautiful beach and I know that always relaxes you."
"Alright fine," she grumbles.
"Ally," Ruby quickly interjects, "you didn't even eat yet," she rebuttals, like a good friend would to save them from a horrible ex. "Stick around, I think maybe Regina is coming in for lunch," she dangles some bait in front of her, hoping to persuade her into staying and Emma wishes she could tell the waitress this is all just a front.
"Oh, well, tell her I said hi," she casually slips off her stool and reaches for some money in her back pocket to pay for the coffee, but Killian beats her to the punch. "Maybe I'll be back in time to catch her," she cheerfully states, despite the frown embedded deep into Ruby's face.
"Come on," her friend softly pleads, so Emma reaches across the counter and squeezes the woman's bicep.
"I've got this," she vows, winking playfully to hopefully settle the woman's uneasy nerves.
Ruby resumes pouting at her as Killian rests his hand at the small of Emma's back and guides her out of the restaurant. Emma sighs heavily, step one accomplished; allow the town to see her around with her "ex" so no suspicions arise when Killian takes over her case. The plan is to create the illusion that Allison needs to go home to take care of her father and maybe her and her ex are working things out and that's why he's staying at her home while she's away. Just two more tasks and she can officially close this chapter in her life.
"You okay?" Jones asks, his hand dropping from her back instantly as they walk side by side down the sidewalk and his fake accent never wavers in case someone overhears them talking.
Emma lowers her voice to barely a whisper. "I really like her, she's a great friend and I feel so guilty," she admits, the shame filling her eyes before she quickly averts her attention to the floor.
"Really? You never feel guilty..." he trails off, not wanting to say too much and hoping she catches on.
"I know," she groans, furiously rubbing her eyes like maybe she can physically remove the tension and stress building in her mind. "Things...things are different now."
"You're not thinking about...leaving, are you?"
"Ugh, maybe. I don't know."
"I really hope you don't. I know I can be a flirt, and probably a pain in your ass, but honestly, you're the best...person, I've ever...met."
She understands by the break in his words and his stammer that he's trying to say she's the best detective he's ever worked with, without having to say the words out loud because of the case. So, she smiles and lightly bumps her shoulder into his.
"Thanks," is all she can find to say and then they walk in silence the rest of the way down by the docks.
Her next task is to scope out the docks with Killian, allowing more people to see them around town, civil and on speaking terms while they keep an eye out. They casually walk along the beach, pretending to discuss their relationship while their eyes travel all around the docks, inspecting every inch. Luckily, it's too cold out for the townsfolk to be enjoying the beach, so they are the only ones around and they can openly discuss the case.
"So, what do you think? Gold using his son to hide behind?" Killian asks, blowing into his hands to keep warm as the winter wind nips at their skin.
Emma zips her jacket up higher and shivers as her hair blows all around her face. She quickly removes her grey beanie from her pocket and tugs it over her ears to keep warm.
"I don't know. I can't find any dirt on the guy. The best we got, is that he has been making hefty deposits into Gideon's bank account, but it could have just been for college. I don't know. The kid is back from college now, but he didn't graduate."
"You think his pops put him in charge of something because he knows his offspring isn't going anywhere?"
"Could be, makes sense. I just feel bad for his wife. She's the sweetest thing and obviously clueless," she divulges, wrapping her arms tightly around her body to keep the warmth trapped inside.
"Hey, there's a bench up near the docks, let's wander up there," Killian suggests and she easily nods along and follows him.
"Now, Gold has another son, his name is Bae-"
"Bae?" Killian balks, chuckling at the ridiculous name.
"Yeah," she smiles, shaking her head. "He brags about his younger brother's dreams, but he's smooth, you know?"
"Does he live here?"
"No, he doesn't. I don't even know if he's still in town. I haven't seen him in almost a week."
"Nice," Killian vacantly says as his blue eyes sneak a peek somewhere behind Emma's shoulder, causing her to tense and be on high alert. "Take a seat, baby," he says and she easily smiles and understands that someone is around.
She happily takes a seat on the bench and he follows suit, except he pivots, so his right side is leaning against the cold bench and his eyes can sneak glimpses of the scene behind Emma. He smiles, curling a chunk of hair behind her ear and she leans into the touch for the public display.
"I'm going to make it up to you," he states with conviction before he whispers, barely moving his lips through a wide grin. "Gideon."
She nods along, and nuzzles into his hand that's playing with her hair while his suspicious eyes drift behind her, but only for a moment. His face is blank, she can tell he's assessing something of importance because usually his face is very responsive and playful. She knows there is something going on behind her back, so she rambles on, so he can keep his mouth shut and study the scene unfolding.
"I don't know if I can trust you ever again. I love you, I think a part of me always will, but you constantly play these games."
He offers a sincere smile, nodding along and then there's a little twitch in his upper eyebrow. "I know, but I promise I'm a changed man," he plays along before he leans in, pressing a kiss to her temple and whispering, "how many times have you seen Gideon with that guy?" Then he quickly pulls away and says, "Awww baby, you look cold, come here," opening the invitation for her to turn around and lean against his chest while he wraps his arms around her.
She smiles happily, leaning against his black leather coat while her eyes inspect a man dressed in a black business suit. She tilts her head back like she's about to kiss her ex, but whispers in his ear.
"I've seen him once before. He was sneaking around with Gideon when it was well after ten o'clock at night."
Killian nods firmly and says, "let's go back to your house and warm up."
Emma quickly stands from the bench, her ass frozen and offers a hand to Jones. They walk hand in hand back to the diner in a rush and both climb into her bug, shivering from the dropping temperatures. She quickly starts her car and blasts the heat while Jones pulls out his phone.
"Swan, that guy with Gideon, he's one of the middle men for a dealer I've been trying to track down," he rushes out just before he starts rambling into his phone to their Captain.
She listens to Jones go on and on about a case regarding some drug dealer that they haven't been able to track down for the last couple of years. Apparently, the man in the suit meeting Gideon, is Michael Darling, who is the middle man for some drug dealer in an ongoing investigation. Jones has been struggling to find out who the man is on top. They have yet to identify him, but they have been tracking Michael and keeping tabs on him to figure out who he works for, for the last year.
"They must have brought a shipment in last week at night, I bet you Gideon is going to use that business as a front to transport Micheal's goods," Emma whispers while Jones sternly nods along.
"Captain, we need to move fast before that shipment disappears. I need a team." Jones' face morphs into professional and the most serious she has ever seen him as he listens to their Captain.
"I've got your back until the team comes," Emma whispers, but his dark brows are pinching together and he's sternly shaking his head, taking her by surprise. "You just said I'm the best-"
"Captain said you have strict orders to retrieve your stuff and head back to New York," Jones delegates, causing her to scoff like a child not winning their way.
"Come on, Captain," she yells, leaning into Killian's side, so David can hear her more clearly. "I got this."
"No," David sternly states right back, encouraging Killian to place his phone on speaker, so Emma can join the conversation. "Absolutely not. You are to head back, grab your stuff and come back to New York. You've been through too much this week and I'm sorry Swan, but I don't trust your judgement right now, you're too emotional."
"Seriously? Is that what you think-is that what you all think?" She balks in shock. "You guys think I'm too emotional to back Jones up?"
"Swan," Killian whines, but their Captain speaks right over him.
"You lost Thirteen this weekend, you are not ready to charge into a drug bust. I don't care how strong you are, you are supposed to be on two weeks leave anyways," he firmly reminds her, causing her to deflate into her seat.
She really doesn't want to argue with him and lose her job so she surrenders. "Fine. I'll get my shit and head back," she grumbles under her breath.
"Good. Jones, I'm sending a team and informing the local police department for back up."
"Aye," Killian says before he takes the phone off speaker and presses it to his ear to finish the conversation. Once he's done, he ends the call and turns to face a pouting Emma. "Sorry mate, you know I would want you by my side, but the Captain is right. You just went through a lot, take the time to heal."
"Yup," she coldly remarks, tracing the stitching along her steering wheel.
"Don't be mad at me, Swan."
"I'm not," she sighs before turning to meet his puppy dog eyes. "I'm really not. I'm just pissed in general, it was my case and I just want to close it out, you know? I've never failed before."
"I gotcha. Technically, you didn't fail, we are still closing this case because of you, alright?"
She bobs her head all around, a lackluster agreement as he yanks open his door. "Wait," she spews in a rush before he's out the door. "Be safe. Be smart. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"
A mile wide grin slides across his entire face as he nods once and then he slips out of her car and slams the door shut. She groans to herself and slams her palms against the steering wheel once more to release the tension coiling deep inside.
For the first time ever, she feels the urge to talk out her problems. She knows she has one task left, but she thinks a five minute delay will be just fine as she pulls out her phone and dials the one person who she knows will make her feel better.
"Hello?" Her voice is like rich, melted chocolate, smooth and silky, and persuades Emma's body to relax against the seat of her car.
"Hey."
"What's wrong? You sound...defeated," Regina points out, her fingers clicking against her keyboard immediately pause to offer her undivided attention.
"I'm just kicking myself about the case now that I'm back, I wanted to finish it out, you know?" She confesses, resting her head back against the cool leather while her finger continues to trace the stitching along her wheel.
"I understand, but I think you know it's best if you slow down right now," Regina gently says, and Emma is falling even more in love with how tender and concerned this woman always seems to be with her.
"I know, you're right," she sighs heavily.
"I'm always right, dear. You'd be wise to remember this for our future," her girlfriend sasses, generating a sappy grin across Emma's face.
She chuckles and hopelessly nods along. "I will."
"So, I have some news that might brighten your mood," she cryptically drawls, immediately piquing Emma's interest.
"Go on," she drags out the phrase, spinning her finger around the outer ring of the wheel.
"I spoke to Henry, and we are going to come this weekend to New York for a visit."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I've never really taken him outside of Storybrooke and he was actually very excited by the proposal."
"And your mom? What happens if she has a freak out moment?"
"I will try my best to visit with her through this week, maybe even drag Henry along, but it's really only two days and I guess...she won't really comprehend if I am there or not," Regina sadly acknowledges, sweeping away Emma's smile and replacing a deep frown instead.
"Are you sure?" She timidly asks, not wanting to add any stress for her girlfriend. Her old habits peeking through and showing off her insecurities of always fearing that she maybe a nuisance to someone and then they will become annoyed of her and abandon her like so many families did before.
"Yes, I'm positive," Regina states with conviction, settling Emma's thumping heart of anxious and excited nerves.
"I just don't-"
"Stop, we are coming," she adamantly interrupts. "It's going to be strange not having you around the house or next door this week. We both miss you."
"Really?"
"Of course, Henry and I have grown accustomed to seeing you almost every day now," Regina easily replies as if this is all common knowledge, instantly producing another dopey grin across Emma's face.
"Alright," she murmurs, inhaling a deep breath to calm the palpations of adoration thumping in her chest. There's a moment of silence before she scrounges up her courage and admits, "I'm excited for you guys to spend the weekend with me in New York. I...I miss you guys too."
She doesn't have to see her beautiful girlfriend to know the woman is beaming, she can hear the way those plump lips break apart and a small sigh of contentment breathes into the phone.
"Then it's settled."
"I guess so," she breathes happily and squirms a little in her seat from the excitement. "So, I have to go back to the house now, pack my stuff. I'll call you when I'm on the road back to New York again, okay?"
"Alright, I'll speak to you soon, goodbye."
"Bye," she wistfully replies and then ends the call.
She's on cloud nine as she starts her engine and heads back to her temporary home. She's absolutely ecstatic about Regina and Henry coming to stay for the weekend, even though her studio apartment is far too small for three people, they'll make do. They can build a fort in her living room and pig out on junk food and watch movies all weekend, Henry will love it. This is finally it, she's finally going to grow up and start a relationship with someone extraordinary. She really doesn't want to overthink it, and jinx it, but there's this warmth spreading through her chest like melted butter against a sizzling pan and she's over the moon about building her own family.
Finally, she has people in her life that feel like home.
She pulls into the driveway, already missing the little boy who used to spy on her. The world seems empty without Henry lurking around every corner. She chuckles to herself at the craziness of it all and closes the car door, swinging her keys around her finger as she treks up the driveway.
She pulls out the key to unlock her front door, but the door slowly creeks open all on its own. Tingly little sparks of anxious energy scatter throughout her blood because she knows for a fact she locked the door. She panics for a brief moment, knowing she doesn't have her gun with her, but then she thinks that maybe a little boy next door skipped school and is planning to jump out and scare her half to death.
She steps inside the house, taking one deep, calm and soothing breath and gently eases the door closed behind her. And that's when she sees the shadow lurking to her left.
"Jesus!"