Emma couldn't help the smug grin that spread across her face when she heard the click of heels coming down the hallway into the sheriff's station.
"Mayor." Emma said looking up at the brunette ignoring the way Regina faltered when they made eye contact.
"I need to speak with you Miss Swan." Regina said in her official Mayor tone. Emma hated how hot it sounded. She hated the way it matched her aroused voice that Emma had last heard over three years ago.
"What can I help you with?" Emma said standing to meet the Mayor's gaze. Regina obviously wasn't sitting down.
"We are going to have to hold an election for Sheriff." Regina said with a grin.
"You said because I was the only deputy it was mine automatically." Emma said with an eye role. Even she could recognize one of Regina's schemes to get rid of her.
"That was until someone else stated their interest." Regina said. Her eyes lit up at the shocked expression that crossed Emma's face.
"Who?" Emma asked confused.
"Sydney." Regina answered.
"Your lackey that follows you around like a love sick puppy?" Emma asked with amusement in her voice causing the Mayor to get angry.
"He is a town official Miss Swan. I suggest you show some respect." Regina answered with an edge to her voice.
"I show respect when it is given to me Madam Mayor." Emma answered leaning closer across the desk letting her breath mix with Regina's feeling an internal victory when Regina's breath hitched.
"You will lose this election, and you will leave this town." Regina said anger obvious in her voice.
"Bring it on Regina." Emma said with a pop of her lips as she finished saying her name. Regina left in a huff then, and Emma didn't know where to place her emotions. She was angry. She was hurt. Regina wanted her gone out of this town. She tried to convince herself that it was because Henry was pulling away a little more every single day. Regina just didn't want to lose Henry. Emma felt a sinking in her stomach as she finally let the thought cross her mind. Maybe Regina really didn't want her. Maybe three years was really too long.
When Emma walked into Granny's at lunch time, she couldn't ignore the glaring looks being shot in her direction. Ruby walked over to the blonde as she sat down at the counter.
"Regina is a piece of work." Ruby said filling up a coffee for Emma.
"It's just an election." Emma began. "It'll be fine."
"You haven't seen it, have you?" Ruby asked.
"Seen what?" Emma asked confused.
Ruby didn't answer, but she walked away. She slid a newspaper across the table when she returned. Emma noticed her picture plastered across the front of it. It was a mug shot of her eighteen year old self after her arrest for Neal's stolen watches.
She groaned. So, this was Regina's game. The title stuck out like a blinking red sign. It read, "Who Exactly Is The New Sherriff?" Emma read feeling her anger triple as she continued to scan each line. It detailed her arrest. There wasn't a whole lot she could argue about that. Then, the story following that almost made her eyes bug out of her head. The story stated that Emma had been in jail again which she hadn't. It said she had come to Storybrooke after her release from prison. It said she had been placed in prison for embezzling millions from her corporation where she worked as a bail bondsman. She did work as a bail bondsman, but she certainly didn't embezzle any money. She felt her world turn on its axis. These were lies, and she could only imagine what would happen if Henry saw them.
She looked back up at Ruby. "This isn't true." She said slowly. "Well, the first story is true. The second one isn't."
"I'm not here to judge you Emma. I don't care what you did before you came here." Ruby answered.
"I'm serious Ruby. I didn't embezzle any money." Emma was almost pleading, and she could tell by the look on her face that Ruby believed her.
Emma left the diner unsure of what to do next. She knew what Regina wanted. Regina wanted her to react, but she couldn't. She couldn't satisfy the brunette in that manner. Instead she walked calmly back to the office intent on writing the speech that she would have to give against Sydney that afternoon at five. She would just explain that it was a lie. Hopefully, people would believe her. She laughed then. These people had no reason to believe her.
Five rolled around pretty quickly. Sydney did his speech first being sure to discuss every single lie that was printed in that paper. He painted the perfect picture of a criminal who he believed was here to bleed the town of all of their money before moving on somewhere else. Emma ignored him as she walked past before stepping up to the podium.
"I won't waste your time, but I just ask that you listen to me for five minutes. I will not stand here and put down Sydney, and I will not lie. I was arrested when I was eighteen for being in possession of stolen property that I didn't steal. I did have a son in prison. The same little boy that brought me here. Henry is the only reason that I am here." Emma heard the gasp from the crowd. Apparently not everyone knew that she was the biological motor of the mayor's adopted son. "I will say that the second story printed is a lie. I worked as a bail bondsman for Richard Leonard. I never stole a dime from him, and I spent quite a few years of my life putting bad people behind bars. I have the experience to do this job, and I am not a criminal. You don't have to believe me, but I am asking you to give me a chance." Emma stepped away from the podium then. Regina stood up to move to the microphone, but a loud sound from Ruby stopped her. Ruby approached the podium still wearing her apron from the diner.
"I have something to say really quick." She said looked at Regina. Regina paused, but she didn't sit back down. "I saw the story in the paper. I wanted to check to see if it was true for myself. So, I ordered a background check on Emma." Ruby gave her an apologetic look before continuing. "Her arrest at eighteen is detailed here. However, there is absolutely nothing else on this record. You can pick up a copy from Mary Margaret if you'd like to see for yourself. All copies are signed by the official who printed them. His phone number is on the bottom if you'd like to call and verify." Ruby walked off the stage then. Emma did her best to send her a thankful look.
Regina took the podium then and told everyone how to vote. The results would be announced the next day at noon.
Emma sought out Mary Margaret and Ruby. "Thank you both. Really. It means a lot." Emma said to the two brunettes.
"Regina has had a lot of control around here for a long time. Ruining your reputation was the final straw." Emma could tell that Mary Margaret was taken aback by her own tone of voice.
"I guess we shall see." Emma said.
Emma was restless the whole night, but she wouldn't leave the apartment because she didn't want to risk any new stories coming up. She watched movies with Mary Margaret who eventually got annoyed with Emma's continuous shifting and went to sleep. Emma didn't sleep a wink. She was at least content that Ruby stayed up answering her text messages with continuous reassurances.
When noon rolled around, Emma was afraid that her heart was going to snap out of her chest. She wondered if Regina had fixed the election. Then she remembered that the town council had been responsible for counting the votes. Regina wasn't even allowed in the room.
When the director of the board announced that Emma had won Regina literally looked like she could blow the entire town up with a blink of her eyes. The town seemed content with it before leaving not two minutes after the verdict was stated. Mary Margaret and Ruby were overjoyed talking about parties and cakes to celebrate Emma's victory. Emma thanked them for their help. She really was happy to finally have a friend. She turned to confront Regina.
"There." Emma said stepping right into Regina's personal space. "I won fair and square. Your lies can't help you win here."
"Is it really not true Sherriff?" Regina began. "The story is made up, but we all know who you are. A thief. A runner. A liar."
Emma was fuming then. She wondered for a second how she could go from thinking she was in love with Regina to complete hate in a matter of weeks. "I am not a liar."
Regina's eyes narrowed then. "We both know that you've been pretending to believe Henry. Giving the kid false hope. How do you think that will end?"
"It will end in him knowing fantasy from reality Regina. We both know it's delusional, but he needs some support." Emma noticed the smile that spread across Regina's face as her eyes glimpsed over Emma's shoulder. Emma turned them to see Henry's hurt face behind her. He turned and ran then with tears streaming down his small face.
"Henry." Emma shouted before turning again to Regina. "What the hell is wrong with you? You want me gone so bad, but at what cost Regina? You just hurt your son for your own agenda."
"My agenda Miss Swan is to keep my son." Regina sneered.
"Well congratulations, you just broke his heart." Emma said before turning intent to go after Henry. Ruby stopped her. "Let him have a minute Emma. Mary Margaret saw him go to the playground that he calls his castle. He wants to be left alone. She said she'll hang around out of sight. He'll be fine."
Emma shrugged then letting what had just happened sink over her. "We need to talk." Ruby said then grabbing Emma's hand. Ruby pulled her all the way back to Mary Margaret's apartment.
"Sit." Ruby said pointing at the couch. "I need to know what the deal is with you and Regina."
Emma looked down then before letting out a sigh. She wondered if she should tell Ruby at all. She didn't want Regina going after the girl that had been nothing but nice to her.
"We were, well we met a few years ago." Emma said vaguely. Ruby waited for her to continue, but Emma didn't.
"And?" Ruby finally asked.
"It was on vacation in Florida. We slept together Ruby." Ruby's hand shot over her mouth at Emma's confession.
"You slept with Regina?" Ruby almost shouted. She grinned then and stuck her hand out to give Emma a high five. "I knew there was a reason she was so happy after that vacation. She got laid! I remember because it was the only time she ever left, but she actually smiled at me once when she got back." Ruby paused for a minute to look up at Emma. "Wait, so what happened?"
"I panicked before she woke up, and I bolted." Emma answered feeling ashamed for it all over again.
"Oh Emma." Ruby said placing a hand on her leg. "If you had only known that Regina isn't exactly the hit it and quit it type." Emma laughed a little then as Ruby stroked her hair trying to sooth her.
"I know I screwed up. I never thought I'd see her again. Then, Henry came along. There she was standing there, and she looked so beautiful, but she looked so hurt too. Then, she was with Belle, and Henry was talking about fairy tale characters." Emma was rambling then. "I told myself that I was going to stay and fight for her because my feelings for her haven't decreased at all since I left that morning three years ago. Now, I feel like I hate her."
"There is a fine line between love and hate." Ruby said trying to reassure Emma. "Can I tell you something?"
"Of course." Emma answered curious.
"When you first got here, I was excited as hell. I thought that I'd finally have someone around to have a little fun with." Ruby wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"For a straight girl, you are so gay." Emma said with a laugh.
"Don't blame me. You're hot, and a girl gets lonely sometimes." Ruby said with a laugh. "Anyway, then I saw the way you looked at her, and I knew that you loved her. I knew it the second that I saw her slap you in the face that there was a story there. You have to understand Regina though Emma. She was never intimate with Belle. They barely even kissed. Everything was so superficial because Regina won't let anyone in. If you really believe in the relationship Emma, you have to make her let you in." Ruby finished her little speech. As Emma was about to respond, Mary Margaret came running through the front door almost taking it off the hinges.
"Emma, we have to go now." Mary Margaret said grabbing her hand.
"What is wrong?" Emma and Ruby said at the same time standing up.
"It's my fault. I looked away for one second, and Henry was gone from the castle. I can't find him anywhere. David said he saw him near the woods. Do you think he is running away?" Mary Margaret was frantic.
"The mines." Ruby said looking at Emma with fear written all over her face. "He told me there was proof in the mines."
"We have to go now. Mary Margaret call everyone you can. We might need some help." Emma took off then jumping into her car with Ruby to head to the forest. Regina was already there while a group of workers stood around the entrance of the mine.
"What the hell are they doing?" Emma asked running to Regina's side.
"They have to make sure it is safe to go in." Regina answered with tears streaming down her face.
Emma looked around. The entire town was around the edge of the mines watching. Emma turned to Regina then. "What can I do?" Emma let her hands fall to Regina's folded arms then and looked into her eyes.
"Help me." Regina said with desperation in her voice.
Emma turned then and ran to the workers. "Do you know if he is in there?" She asked the first person she reached.
"Yes. Someone saw him run in there." He answered.
Emma moved past them then into the mine ignoring the shouts of the men behind her that it wasn't safe. She was moving on autopilot then to save her son. She pulled out the flash light she had grabbed from the cruiser, and she let it illuminate the long deserted mines. She walked slowly listening as she went. She was deep enough now that all she saw was darkness behind her. She heard a sniffling in the distance, and she called out to Henry. When she reached the boy he was sitting in an old elevator shaft just staring straight at the wall.
She sat next to him without saying anything for a minute. "I'm sorry Henry." The boy didn't respond. "Adults are stupid Henry." He looked up at her then. "We grow up with these fabulous imaginations just like you have where we think anything is possible. Then, life happens, and we lose that. I'm sorry that I said you were delusional because you aren't. You're lucky that you can look past what others think is impossible and form your own opinion. You can't be mad at us old people because we don't have good imaginations. You can just tolerate us and know that we can't help it."
The boy smiled slightly then his face the only thing illuminated by the flashlight. "I know you don't believe me Emma, but you will see." He began. "I don't know how you will break the curse, but you will."
"I want you to believe that Henry even if I can't. I hope you make me believe because I'd love to believe in fairytales, but we have to go about this in a different way. You can't be so mean to your mom."
"But she is the Evil Queen." Henry almost yelled.
"Doesn't matter." Emma answered quickly. "She loves you. No matter what people have done in their past Henry, they deserve another chance. What did you think about her before you found this book?"
Henry paused for a second. "I loved her."
"Exactly." Emma answered. "That hasn't changed buddy. She is out there right now worried sick because she loves you."
"She didn't come in here with you." Henry pointed out.
"You and I both know that I wouldn't let her." Emma said with a smile.
"That's because you're the savior." He answered smiling at his blonde mother.
"And right now I am here to save you." The two stood. Emma was holding Henry's hand when the ground began to shake and rumble below them. Rocks crashed to the ground around them, and Emma used her body to cover Henry. After the rumbling stopped, Emma checked to ensure that Henry was alright. He was fine, but the rocks were now blocking their way out. Emma knew they had no choice but to go up the elevator shaft. They had to move quickly before it collapsed again.
Emma held Henry's hand and shined her flashlight. The shaft was almost five stories up to a level platform and what looked to be a door to the outside. Emma noticed the way the beams crossed on each side of the elevator. They would have to climb.
"Henry, I am going to need you to be very brave for the next twenty minutes." She said looking around. There really was no other option. "I am going to hoist you up there Henry. Then I will be right behind you. Promise me that you will not let go of that beam until I tell you to." Henry nodded then nerves obvious on his face.
They began the climb then carefully moving from one beam to another slowly. Emma hoisted Henry up before moving up to the same beam he was standing on. She continued to maneuver helping Henry climb the beams while maintaining a grip of her own. They were lucky that there was a beam every four feet or so. If it would have been higher they wouldn't have been able to make it up. After some time they both made it to the level platform panting from the exertion.
"Don't look down." Emma said with a smile. Henry looked back up at her. His face was red from pulling himself up. "I'm proud of you kid."
Henry smiled then. "Now what?" He asked.
Emma used the other end of the flashlight to bang on the metal grate. It was almost fifteen minutes before it flung open with two of the workers standing above it. They quickly pulled Emma and Henry out. Regina was running as soon as she saw them, and she grabbed Henry into her arms as soon as she reached him. She released him for a second to check his face for injuries. She looked to Emma then.
"What the hell happened?" Emma said looking around. "It collapsed down there."
Regina walked closer to Emma then pulling Henry with her. "They tried to dig through to the middle thinking it would get then closer to you two. They wouldn't go in after it collapsed. They were too afraid, but you weren't."
Emma just gave a little smile before Regina pulled her into a hug too. Emma let one arm wrap around Regina's waist while the other pulled Henry in. The two stood there locked into the embrace with their son until he finally started to wiggle out of the embrace.
"I'm sorry Mom." He said looking up at Regina. "It isn't your fault that you don't have an imagination because you're an adult."
Regina looked up at Emma then. Emma just gave her a small smile.
The crowd started to disperse leaving just a few behind. "Thank you Emma." Regina said again as Dr. Whale looked Henry over to make sure he was alright.
"I'm sorry too Regina. I'm sorry that I just swooped in thinking I knew anything about being a damn parent." Emma said looking down.
"It's alright. For Henry's sake, we need to do this together." Regina said.
"I like the sound of that." Emma smiled at her stepping closer.
"I don't mean together like that Miss Swan." Regina said, but she didn't move away.
"It's a step in the right direction." Emma said before looking up at Regina's face. Regina was watching Henry with fresh tears still present on her face. "Hey." Emma said pulling Regina towards her. Emma's arms were around Regina's waste again. Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder and cried silently. "He's ok."
"Thanks to you." Regina said with a sad smile. "I just stood here."
"You know I wouldn't have let you go in there Regina. Besides, I'm the white knight." Emma said with a grin.
Regina knew that Emma was joking, but she also knew that it was true. She would have to try a different approach. She would let Emma co-parent Henry, but she couldn't fall in love with Emma Swan. That was the answer. Little did she realize that she already did love her.