Killian had a big wide smile strutting through the middle of the crowded hallway of Storybroke high. Not slowing down as he brushed passed his fellow students, bumping into a few as everyone ran through the halls. The sun was bright shining through the large floor to ceiling glass doors, Killian squinted as he walked past. Opening his eyes again he saw her, long blonde wavy hair sitting over a plaid shirt with her face in her locker. Picking up the pace Killian ran up to Emma standing a whole head taller than her, he leaned down giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Hello" Emma said "What's got you smiling"
"A passing grade" Killian said slamming his test against the locker a large red C stamped across it.
"A passing grade" Emma repeated elated, hugging Killian.
"Please no more PDA, near my locker" Ruby said in a huff.
"I can make such promises" Killian replied with a smirk.
The three of them giggled slamming textbooks into their lockers swinging backpacks across their shoulders, happy to be headed towards the exit on a Friday afternoon. Continuing their discussion from lunch, the topic being what the best Star Wars movie was. Days and weeks had been going along like this for a while. Every day they seemed to heal a little more, Emma even managed to step back into the library today. Surprising Belle right out of her chair when Emma hired out a book. The battle that took place there seemed like a daydream, no longer a nightmare. The refurbishments made, brought a whole new light to what was once a dark place.
Emma smiled silent as she tried not laugh listening to Killian and Ruby continue to lightly bicker. They walked out the large double glass doors together leading into the steps out the front of the school. Still with most of the students loitering around including Mulan and Elsa leaning against a brick wall near the carpark. Noticeably they were occupied in the middle of a serious kiss.
"At least they don't block my locker" Ruby said with a teasing grin.
"You love it" Killian said sarcastically offended.
"I do, do I" Ruby retorted, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, it's true love" Emma said while Killian put his arm around Emma's shoulder.
"It sure is, you dork" Killian replied laughing.
Killian leant down once more, and they shared a quick kiss before walking over to the rest of their friends. Killian and Emma's hands now entwined as they walked. Emma had a big smile across her face enjoying every moment of life now it has entered a state of grace.
"You know what, I can't even argue you guys are just too cute" Ruby said.
"Who's to cute?" Elsa asked confused as they got in earshot.
"These two lovebirds" Ruby answered.
"Yes, very cute" Mulan said in a serious tone.
"What's the plan tonight" Killian asked, while trying not to blush but his checks where visible red now.
"We eat some food at a place where people congregate, listen to music and talk all night" Mulan said
"So, Granny's" Killian suggested.
"Exactly" Mulan replied.
A car horn quickly beeped twice from across the carpark and Emma noticed her mother behind the wheel waving them over. Giving Mulan and Elsa a quick nod knowing they see them again once they got to Granny's. Killian, ruby and Emma piled into the old station wagon that shortly headed out of the carpark.
It seemed that everyone in Storybroke had the same idea today and the diner was packed not a table left outside, under the fairy lights. With all seven dwarfs already digging into a feast of food, they stopped for a full a while Mary Margaret caught up with her brothers. Amongst the crowd was Dr Whale and Jefferson, glasses of scotch in hand. Then Emma spotted Ashley with her daughter sitting up on her lap. Sitting happily to her prince and gave her a quick wave. Eventually they got inside and Killian spotted Liam, who had luckily already got them a booth and they filed in. Ruby quickly grabbed her apron off the coat rack, making her way back off house to help her grandmother catch up on orders.
The settled in as the sun went down and the group found themselves mingling amongst the crowd. Walking around from booth to counter, back outside and in again. Music was playing loudly from the juke box, but it was still hard to make out amongst the chatter. It was like one big party and Emma for once new everyone there, she really felt a true belonging in this moment. Hunger took over that feeling quickly, and Emma's stomach grumbled. Eyeing a plate of onion rings waiting for her in a booth where Mary Margaret sat. Emma excused herself from the conversation outside with Belle walking into the diner making b line for her waiting meal.
"Thanks mom" Emma said sitting down begging to eat.
Mary Margaret was staring at Emma. Her eyes where distant though her mind elsewhere somewhere dark and sad. Emma frowned seemingly they had a good day not the kind that brings on the kind of distant longing like her mother had in her eyes at present.
"What is it?" Emma said concerned.
"Nothing I, just when you ran off for your date with Killian, before we ended up at the docks, I thought you were just eager to see him" Mary Margaret asked.
"I was" Emma replied with a shrug.
"But you already knew something was wrong" Mary Margaret queried.
"Yeah" Emma replied sheepish.
"I know you're just doing the right thing, that's who you are" Mary Margaret continued seeing Emma's guilty expression.
"A saviour, but you don't need to do it alone, you're not alone anymore" Mary Margaret finished just hoping she was getting through. That Emma would understand what she meant.
Emma nodded letting out a sigh and looking down at her food just focusing on eating. Mary Margaret reached out taking it and holding it tight. They both looked around the room seeing the many happy faces of their friends and family. Liam and Killian sat in the booth by the window in a deep discussion. Meanwhile Ruby and Anna played hockey with the salt and pepper shakers across the counter. The salt went flying off the table onto the floor with a crash. Granny gave them a disapproving look and Ruby quickly got up and cleaned up the mess. Elsa laughed coming over to the booth where Emma and Mary Margret sat. Smiling Elsa offered them some of her chips sitting down.
They lightly mocked their friends as they cleaned up the mess on the floor. Graham entered the dinner then with Regina. Quickly he found a spot at the counter leaving Regina standing awkwardly in the doorway. Regina's eyes looking around the room wondering where she belonged. Emma looked up at her then waving Regina over to their table and she slowly walked over.
"Hey" Emma said to Regina with a smile as she grabbed another onion ring.
"Where's David, is he still working?" Mary Margaret asked confused seeing both the Sheriff his assistant but not her husband the deputy with them.
"Said, he was running an errand" Regina replied sitting down.
Mary Margaret frowned thinking that was rather strange, but they continued to sit, eat and talk about their day together. The small-town diner had never had such a list of colourful characters sitting together and getting along. Regina sat small, hands in her lap next to Elsa who didn't seem at all phased by her presence, leaning over closer to Regina reaching for a napkin. They continued the conversation with ease and Regina joined in after a minute or two. It seemed almost like a dream, that they had managed to reach this moment of clarity and begin there happily ever after together.
Mr Gold walked around his pawn shop quietly dusting the various trinkets and magical objects with a frown. Some items more powerful than a nuclear bomb, or able to turn back time, others had sentimental value which more often than not was the most powerful magic of all. However, it was also fragile and easily destroyed, as Mr Gold had recently learned. Everything in this room so powerful and yet none of it could help him now. Sure, he could get revenge on the person who did this. The more he thought about the clearer it was, the blame was on the dark one himself. The person directly responsible is now in deeper hurt then as anything Mr Gold could possibly dish out. All he had left now was his loneliness.
Until the door of his pawn shown open slowly and the little bell rang out. Looking up from the glass cases Mr Gold was surprised seeing the prince standing in the doorway looking determined. Slowly David stepped in walking up to Mr Gold.
"What can I help you with" Mr Gold asked.
"I think you know" David replied curtly.
"Please enlighten me" Mr Gold replied.
"Our deal, tell me what you want" David demanded.
"When the time is right, I'll call open you" Mr Gold replied frustrated.
"I can't live like this" David paused about cry "I can't sleep"
"Maybe Regina can help you with that" Mr Gold Replied.
"Just tell me, what you want" David yelled.
Mr Gold was silent no more quips left in him, he looked off into the distance solemnly. Walking away from David now over to his desk. Acting as if David was no longer there, going about his routine nonchalantly, closing the register for the day. David starred at him shocked and frustrated knowing he had no power here. That didn't stop him from asking for answers his courage never wavering.
"What kind of game are you playing" David said walking over "Answer me"
Again, there was no answer, but he did look up at David seeing his desperation and anger. It didn't bother Mr Gold knowing David was just being a parent and a husband trying to do what's best for his family. They weren't that different only David still had a chance, hope at a happy ending. Mr Gold's face looked lost and a small smile creeped in the corner of his mouth.
"You don't know do you?" David said his stance easing and jaw unclenching.
"What on earth do mean?" Mr Gold replied looking away.
"The favour, you don't know what it is" David said with relieved sigh followed by a frown.
There was another long pause while Mr Gold let out a sigh his mind on his son. Truthfully even though he was so close that might as well be in different worlds.
"I created the curse, broke down walls between worlds" Mr Gold said before pausing.
"What are you gloating?" David replied annoyed.
"All to find my son" Mr Gold continued.
David gasped surprised by this comment having never thought of this cold-hearted man as anything more than a beast. Less than human, not a father but now he saw it clear as day. Looking into the eyes of a man just trying to find his family.
"Well did you find him?" David asked concerned.
"No" Mr Gold answered solemnly.
"You will" David replied with a smile.
Notes: Hello readers thanks for checking in for another chapter, I will be going on a short hiatus mostly because I want to spend some time working on the next few chapters. Also to have time to finish off a few other half baked fics I've been working on. Hopefully its not to long :)