A/N: This story has so many possibilities. My original outline, made after the first pre-plot ramblings, is so very outdated now. This is still, very much, a pantser story. Also, slight warning.. While I don't use graphic words, you might be guided to imagine a graphic, painful image. It's in the first section, first few paragraphs, so it'll be over quickly. Sorry! Please don't hate me!
Storybrooke, Maine
It took an hour for Tink to wake - entirely too long. Belle was nearly discovered on three separate occasions, and then there was the wake up process. Tinkerbell nearly bloodied her nose, and made such a racket, they had to get out of there right away.
Apparently, Tinkerbell remembered the world she had lived in. The dream world, she called it. She'd caught a glimpse of Emma, once or twice, and Emma always looked a little beat up.
At least Emma was alright. That likely meant everyone was alright.
But waking Tink up without the computers to guide her out, meant Tink had died in there - and she lived every moment. It had been quite disorientating to die, and wake up… not dead. Which was why she woke up as violently as she had.
Belle had no idea that would happen. She saw the warnings about the computer being the best method of extraction - but that took hours. Hours they didn't have to free everyone.
"I say we go back, take two more, one each, and run again."
"Tink, there is no way they didn't hear you wake up. They definitely called reinforcements by now. We have to be careful, if we both get caught-"
"I know. But we have got to build an army. Maybe we just go in, and unplug everyone -"
"All at once?" Belle scoffed. "They could blow up the whole building for all we know. Or they could surround us with guns, or -"
"Two guys took me. And after that I only saw, maybe, five more, aside from that blasted witch."
"But we don't know what's in there now. We need to be smart about this."
"We also need to act, and soon. They may have called reinforcements, but you know how difficult it is to get into Storybrooke. If we wait, it may be too late!"
Belle couldn't argue with that.
"Okay. We go back. But we need to prioritize who to wake."
"Why did you wake me?"
Belle shrugged a little sheepishly. "You were the closest to the escape route…"
"Lovely."
11:28 am
Emma insisted she get out of his hair.
Gilbert insisted on buying her lunch before his shift.
She did owe Holly a date - but he didn't need to know that.
Emma, determined not to back down, won out. She didn't want to owe him anything else, and she was definitely not in the mood to go on, even, an unofficial date. If nothing else, it was to avoid future attempts at 'thank you'. It was half past eleven when she made it to her car, waving him off.
From the state of her messages, she figured it was around 6 when she went off grid, and he'd stopped calling around 8 - likely around the time of finding her. Normally, he'd still be at the station, so she figured he had literally walked out on his job - for her. She hoped he wouldn't receive a reprimand. Whatever happened, she was planning on pretending to not know, just so she wouldn't have to deal with yet another thank-you.
Either way, he had his own life to get back to, and she had a lot of work to do to restart her own life. She couldn't let him distract her.
She couldn't let anyone distract her.
She found it ironic that she had already started rebuilding herself for a better life, and now she had to rebuild her life as well. She'd never intended on going that far with New Leaf Emma - but what choice did she have?
Her first stop was her retail job, showing off her bandaged ribs as proof (that she awkwardly rewrapped after her shower) before convincing Ruby she was okay, and just needed some new clothes since hers were crispy. She ended up leaving the store with about a weeks worth of clothing, and a duffle to fit it all into, at a whopping 60% discount. She'd have to thank Rub-Scarlet in some way.
Was a bottle of wine an appropriate gift? Was spending money for receiving a discount appropriate? Emma hated thank-yous.
… but dammit if she was going to skip out on letting Scarlet know how much she appreciated it.
When she had the clothes, she was met with the task of finding a place to get re-dressed in. She should have gotten dressed in the dressing room of the store, but she didn't think of that until she was halfway to the parking lot, and her ribs were already feeling the pressure. Breathing was nice. She liked breathing. Breathing was hard sometimes with two broken ribs.
She had to sit down on one of the benches lining the mall hallway.
Bathroom stalls were always fun to dress in. But with her ribs, she needed room to navigate. It helped that half her chosen wardrobe happened to be leggings, but still. Maneuverability was a priority now.
3:39 pm
It was well past 3pm when it finally occurred to her to go to the college campus. Not only could she easily change in the gym locker room, but she could check into the availability of student housing. Two birds, one trip. Though she wondered if she should bother to change, now, the day being half over already.
Deciding not to change afterall, still in Gilbert's green tee, and black basketball shorts, she settled into the library, which was conveniently open 24/7, and pulled up the college website. There were a few dorm options available, but most of the student housing involved apartments made for students, at a discount. It wasn't ideal, being further out of her way than she was used to, but it seemed like it was perfect for her situation.
She looked through every option available to her, which seemed like way too many for the size of the campus, but she persisted. The most typical option was the shared apartment, similar to a dorm. Each 'apartment' had 2-4 rooms, and she'd only be paying 'per bed' (which, she figured, meant 'per room'.) The shared apartments were cheaper, but she wanted her own place, which - awkwardly - was more than she could afford if she went with student housing.
Student housing was weird.
With an exaggerated sigh, Emma clicked out of the college listings, and opened a normal person's apartment hunter site instead.
Until she felt a presence behind her.
"Fancy meeting you here, love."
She set a glare on her face before turning to look up.
"Do you live here?"
He smirked. "Apparently fate has aligned our paths to keep us running into each other."
"I'd give that line the benefit of the doubt if I saw you, literally, anywhere else but here."
"I've never seen you in the library before, love. It's kismet."
"The library on campus. It's a coincidence."
"Agree to disagree." He bit his lip, eyes sparkling, nearly sending her down a spiral of want -
"Don't you have something to do? Someone else to annoy?" Like a pregnant lady… for instance…
"I am all yours for as long as you want me, darling."
"Seeing as I don't want you, and I'm not your darling, or your love, you're free to move on."
"Liar." He winked, but moved on anyway.
She scoffed, her cheeks a maddening shade of rose, trying to focus -
Well, it was hopeless to focus, now.
5:17 pm
It was a little after 5 pm when she made it to The Tipsy Cow. Holly wasn't there, yet, not till her shift at 6. But Emma felt like a beer anyway.
She took it into a booth, in the furthest corner of the room so she could see the whole place. She put her back against the wall, and her legs across the seat. Something she did quite frequently when her skips hit her a little too hard.
Two broken ribs qualified.
She was tired. Hope, the apartment fire, the weekend of skips, the weird dreams, the weird events, two men interested in her - was Colin-Unhooked even interested in her? She couldn't assume that. Flirting is one thing, but -
Her phone buzzed. She was getting used to it this way, anyway.
She didn't look before answering.
"Hello?
"Hey."
"Oh, hey chief."
"I just wanted to see if you found a place to stay tonight."
She groaned. "What did Gilbert tell you?"
"I may have.. Pressed Russo for a few answers when he showed up with that damn smile on his face this afternoon."
"You assumed his smile had something to do with me? He's always smiling."
"Well. Yes. But not like this."
"Men are stupid."
"And you're just figuring this out now?" He chuckled. "And I was right. He said you had a hard time last night, but seemed to be better this morning."
"Perfect. More Emma gossip to go around."
"We were in my office. And you know him. He isn't about to tell the entire department that you slept in his bed."
"Ugh, I feel so bad about that."
"Why? The couch? Please."
"And no, I'm not putting you out tonight either. I'll figure it out."
"The offer's there, Em."
"And I thank you for it. But I need to be on my own."
He sighed. "Stubborn as always."
5:43
Emma hadn't even drank half her beer, but her tummy was rumbling, and she did not feel like eating bar food, even to wait for Holly to show up.
She checked her sobriety on the way to the bar, paid her tab, and left. She wasn't even a little bit buzzed, her sore ribs reminded her with every step. If she wanted to drown out the pain, she was going to need something strong.
She drove idly, looking for something, anything, that might peak her interest. She was hungry, but had no idea what she wanted. Nothing sounded good. So she went to a local diner, sat at the patio outside, and just got her usual grilled cheese with the unusual glass of water (the doc said water helped the healing, and damn it if she wasn't already tired of these blasted ribs).
Right after her early dinner was brought to her, none other than Gilbert walked passed her.
She knew some of the guys at the station came here, sometimes, but seeing him still shocked her so badly she spoke without thinking.
"Gil!"
He stopped short, turning, a grin spreading across his features as soon as he found her.
"Grilled cheese again?" He asked as soon as he reached her.
"It is the simple pleasures in life that keeps us going."
"When was the last time you tried something new?"
She had to admit, "Well, not in a while."
"I'd love to help you change that, if you'll let me." Apparently spotting her hesitation, he continued. "But until then, I imagine you'll be having grilled cheese on a daily basis."
She cocked her head at him. "Well, it is my favorite."
He chuckled. "Don't I know it."
"Picking up for the 42nd?"
"I thought I drew the short straw." He caught her eye, and she had a feeling he meant something more than how it should have sounded. Or something.. less confusing.
She ignored it. "No rookies to send out?"
"Not in a while. It's weird, now that I think about it."
"Maybe. Don't let me keep you. You don't want the chief to get any ideas."
He nodded, the smile diminishing just a little. As soon as he vanished inside the diner, Emma stopped her waitress to over pay her in cash, quickly moving (as quickly as one could with two broken ribs) to her car, and speeding away.
She liked Gil. She didn't want to like him. She liked how normal he was, how normal it felt - She didn't want to think about it.
-x-x-x-
Her next two days went by like a blur. Only taking classes every other day left her with too much time to think without her normal distractions. And she was having a disagreement with her brain about just what to think about. Or what not to think about.
She'd managed to avoid the devilishly handsome not-a-pirate, and running into Gilbert wasn't even an issue since she wasn't going to the 42nd every day or so, and had - almost - completely gotten out of her usual stomping grounds since she ended up staying at a motel close to campus to avoid renting another apartment. She just didn't have the energy for 'house hunting'.
But it was becoming painfully obvious that she needed her own place again. Motels were pricey, and busy, and loud. If she had to hear the sex-screetch-queen one more time she might have to break down their door and.. something. Something like a bulldog named Backup, or a machine gun, or maybe if she could find that mask from that Jim Carrey movie...
But mostly, she was bored. College was, so far, fairly easy. It was only her first week. She had been expecting much worse, and found herself hoping for more just to keep her busy.
Holly had tried - and failed - to get her to agree to more dates. And various events, right down to netflix at her place. Which also failed because, with the ribs, there wasn't much Emma was up for.
She checked out of the motel the instant she heard the next door springs through the walls, not even caring that it was after 10pm. She'd rather sleep in her car. She was itching for something to do, anyway, too wired to sleep. So she drove to the college, focusing on the areas she hadn't been to yet. Seeing a gathering of people - the biggest she had seen so far, in one area caught her attention. Being Sunday, she really hadn't been expecting, well, anything. So she parked and made her way over, curious.
It was snow cones. And the line was ridiculously long.
With nothing better to do, she decided to wait it out. But it was worth it. Not only were they huge cups, but they also layered the syrup with the ice so that every sinful, sugary bite tasted just as sweet as the first. She nearly collapsed into a recently vacated chair at a tiny table for three, just enjoying the flavor mix they had recommended.
And yet it tasted sweeter when she saw the one handed man.. and sour when she saw the very pregnant wife. Who had a ring on.
As soon as not-Hook and his companion passed, he noticed her with a wink, smirking of course, on their way to the line. Was this the reason she saw them together on campus so often? Pregnancy cravings for snow cones? And on that one Saturday? Jeez, that was a week ago. It felt like ages ago. Or moments ago. Time was weird.
She was weighing her options when the very pregnant platinum blonde came over, sitting at her table.
"Hope you don't mind. It's not usually this busy. Colin said he knew you?"
"Uhm." Emma was trying to form words into complete sentences.
"I just really need the rest. My ankles are killing me."
Emma nodded, still not sure she could be trusted to speak.
"Ugh, pregnancy brain, I'm Georgina, but everyone calls me George."
"You can't get them to stop?" Stupid, stupid, st-
She laughed, though, and Emma felt a little better. "What's your name?"
Emma shrugged, her gaze panning over to the Hunky Hunkerson just in time to catch a smirk. "I'll tell you if you don't tell him."
"So you're the girl he's been talking about."
Emma's attention snapped back to her in an instant. "He what now?"
"He loves to hate that game you're playing. Depends on the day, really."
"Wait, you two, you're not…"
It took George a second, before laughing a little too hysterically. "No, no. I'm his sister-in-law."
"I didn't know that."
"You learn a lot when you sit and talk instead of pass one liners back and forth."
Emma was floored. "He really told you about me?" And she had told Holly. And not-David.
"Oh yes. But don't tell him I said that. He might despair if your banter changed because of me."
"Did you find out her name for me, then?" He came bearing two more cups, handing one to George, before sitting himself on the third chair at the tiny table like he belonged there.
"'Fraid not, brother. You'll have to get it on your own."
"You're a terrible spy." He scolded, his gaze moving to lock onto Emma. "I was hoping to have your name on my lips before the end of the night."
Don't swoon. Do not.. swoon.
George's laugh broke her of his spell, thank God.
"You're shameless, aren't you?"
"'Fraid so." He grinned.
"On that note.." Emma began to stand to the dismay of both of them.
"Oh, come now, love. I'm winning you over, I can feel it."
That stuck her as familiar, making her pause to look at him again. He always did this to her, that uncertain familiarity like she's forgetting something.
"You're dangerous." She accused him. "Nice to meet you, George."
She stood, walking toward a bench. Her ribs ached too much to make the hike back to her car, unfortunately. She hadn't moved far enough not to hear George's loud whisper to go after her, idiot!
Emma sat when he stood, and she rolled her eyes at him. She was just another conquest, just another-
"You can't despise me that much."
She cocked her head, and took a bite. "No, I don't."
"How fare the ribs?"
Did- did she detect genuine concern? No. Not possible. Nope. Even if he did have genuine feeling, she wouldn't allow herself to - "It hurts to breathe." And there she goes again with the whole honesty.. thing. What was it about this man that-
"I know a little something about that." His smile was genuine as he held up his left arm.
"I guess you would."
"Well, I do know a place that makes immaculate chicken noodle soup. Allow me to bring you there."
She nearly snorted the shaved ice up her nose. "Sorry, what?" As soon as she thinks she gets him, he goes and surprises her.
Aaand the smirk was back. "It's nothing fancy. A little homely, to be honest. But it is good for the soul, and the healing."
"You're asking me out? On a date?"
"I believe I was asking to share a meal, but if you insist, it's a date!" He grinned.
God damnit. "I am too tired for this."
That brought the genuine concern back into his eyes. "Perhaps I should assist you back to your vehicle."
She raised her eyebrow at him. "I've just had a really tough week, okay, with the ribs, and the apartment fire-"
"That was your apartment?" Her eyes snapped tight. "Bloody hell, love, where have you been staying?"
She groaned. "I am fine."
"I can see that. You'll be better with a roof over your head. I'd offer my own flat, but knowing you'd turn me down, George is likely to offer just as quickly. I'm afraid I must insist you accept someone."
How many roofs had been offered now? Four? Nope, Holly too, that made five. That must be some kinda record.
"I'm not staying at a stranger's house."
"Mine, it is, then." She wanted to call him Hook in that moment. She really, really, wanted to scream at him, and call him a dirty pirate. "The terrible bit about it, love, is that I have the stamina to argue my points. Your injury and, I suspect, the stress of your week, has drained you of yours."
"Is there a point to this rant?"
"One, I am not above using whatever dirty tricks I have at my disposal to keep good form."
"Dirty pirate."
"I bathe quite frequently, thank you. Speaking of, darling, I have a jacuzzi tub. Which is my second point."
Fuck him and his eyes and his tub.
Nope, 'fuck' and 'him' and 'tub' should not be in the same sentence.
1:42 am
He really did have a jacuzzi tub.
Not to mention the doorman, and the concierge desk, and the private elevator to his top-floor 'flat' which was basically a house, not that she got the full tour.
He pointed out the kitchen and living room, but guided her directly to the fresh guest room where he placed her brand new duffle. He had - naturally - called ahead and gotten fresh sheets on the bed for her. She'd never been treated this.. well.. Royally.
Immediately after showing her the room, he brought her to the tub that he'd bragged about. She could practically swim in it.
He was a complete gentleman, and removed himself before she could kick him out. Which was a little disappointing. She wanted to kick him out. Or, that's what she told herself.
The jacuzzi was exactly what she needed, the hot water, the jets, the bubbles. She'd never been more relaxed.
5:58 am
Colin had a feeling she'd be getting up soon, he'd already cooked the bacon, and was flipping the pancakes. Next, the eggs as soon as she made an appearance. No one liked cold eggs.
She'd probably try and go to her classes again, stubborn vixen. But he was given the opportunity to make an impression, and he had a feeling his flat would do the opposite. He had to make up for it somehow.
"Are you cooking?"
And it hit him like a ton of bricks. Everything about this was too overwhelmingly familiar, her, here, him cooking for her, and he knew. Killian knew.
He turned. She looked just as beautiful as always, hair in a golden mess, comfortable clothes making her look like the princess she was. His Swan. His wife.
"Seriously, you cook?"
6:00 am
She'd set her phone alarm the night before, but was regretting it now. The bed was a lie, it was really a cloud, and the sheets were magick. All she wanted to do was stay in bed, sleep. She felt weightless.
Until she smelled the bacon.
It was the best way to wake up. Except for the whole leaving the bed bit.
She went for a pair of leggings and a tee, careful to avoid straining her ribs which wasn't easy, before stepping out. It took her a second to get her bearings, but it wasn't that big of a home.
It wasn't long before she saw him, his back to her, he was clearly cooking. Why was that such a surprise?
"Are you cooking?"
He froze. She could see his muscles tense. But he turned to her with a smile she had never seen, but somehow she knew that smile. He was smiling like she was his world, but that didn't make any sense either.
She swallowed tightly. "Seriously, you cook?" It was all she could manage to choke out before she turned to turn off the phone alarm. The bed was a lie, it was really a cloud, and the sheets were magick. All she wanted to do was stay in bed, sleep. She felt weightless.
Until she smelled the bacon.
It was the best way to wake up. Except for the whole leaving the bed bit.
Her eyes fluttered open. Hadn't she just… Why did this keep..
Every time this happened, she changed things, just a little, and it didn't repeat a third time. Was time repeating? Was it just a dream? Either way, what was triggering it?
She'd have to really think about it. For now, there wasn't a whole lot to change. So, she took her time getting dressed. Brushed her hair. And sat on the bed for half a minute before leaving the room. He was just a little different, facing her this time. He looked up as soon as she emerged from the hall.
"I really should have something to call you, love, even if it's sasquatch."
That perked her up. Not that she would tell him.
"Is that the best you can do?"
"I was tempted to call you warrior princess, but I wasn't in the mood for a flogging."
"Like Xena?"
"Precisely."
"I'm not sure if I want to know."
"You have an air about you, highness." He glanced at the stools at his breakfast bar. "Will your ribs allow the stool, or do they prefer the dining table?"
She rolled her eyes, moving to the stool. "My ribs are just fine -" she halted as she attempted to lean, one foot on the bar, her face contorted beyond her control. Calmly, she removed herself. "Table, definitely."
He teased her as she moved to the table, matching her pace, following with an oversized plate. He got in her way to set the plate down, but she realized he did that to pull her chair out for her. She eyed him warily as she sat down, and let him push the chair in for her.
"You need to learn to let others take care of you, from time to time. No one is infallible."
"You basically forced me here against my will. I'm more of a captive than a guest."
"While I admit to the use of questionable methods to get a roof over your head, I will not apologize for it. As for your captivity, there are no guards, love. You're free to leave at any time. And if you choose to return for the night, the security do know to let you in, and your room will be ready."
"I couldn't even take the elevator by my-"
He reached into his pocket, fishing out a key card. "If you choose to return." He set it down by her plate. "Those eggs won't stay warm long, love."
"Not your-" he really thought of everything. "love."
8:15 am
"And then he just handed over a key? Just like that?"
Emma nodded, her throat tightening up. She'd called Holly as soon as she left the first class of the day.
"God, I really need to register for classes."
"And then he left."
"Left? Like.. He left you alone in his apartment?!"
"Yes. I mean. It was weird. He made sure I knew I had full access to everything, he only asked that I didn't fuck up him room.. more eloquently said than I just did."
"What are you going to do? Are you going back?"
"It beats sleeping in my car. But I have other options. I've been offered a lot of spare rooms, lately."
"You have more friends than you thought you did when I gave you my number. And.. your apartment did kinda burn down. Why haven't you gotten a new place?"
"The stress of it."
"Is it more or less stressful than playing russian roulette with your sleeping arrangements?"
She did have a point.
Storybrooke, Maine
Regina was sitting on the cot, stretching her neck, Zelena angrily holding five of their captors to the wall, while Gold had four more withering on the ground.
"These are the idiots who captured us?" Regina asked, watching Belle as she pulled the needle from Mary Margaret, turning off the alarm.
"They put something in the water supply, to drug everyone." Belle explained, watching over her newest charge.
"Go ahead. Unplug everyone." They turned to spot the dark haired woman, leaning against the doorframe. Lily. "It's only Emma's funeral if you do."
"What are you talking about?" Regina asked hotly.
"It's a computer program." the woman barked out a laugh. "I've been working on it for a long time. You think, after everything I'd let her leave her punishment by simply being unplugged?"
Tink looked a little sick. "That dream.. Was controlled by a computer?"
"Everyone still has free will, more or less. That damn pirate though, keeps remembering."
"You - you know what happens in the dream?" Belle asked this time.
"It wouldn't be nearly as fun if she couldn't." Gold grit out.
"You might have a touch of wickedness in you." Zelena turned to keep from smiling.
"True." Lily shrugged. Then she smiled. "Oh, Rumpelstiltskin, The Evil Queen, and The Wicked Witch. Heros are predictable."
Belle looked a little pale. "What did you do?"
Lily sauntered over to a cot, the cot of a tall man, with dark hair. A man that no one recognized, and no one thought to wake - though, they should have. "Nothing, really. Just a line of code. He does deserve it." She spread a grin at the group in front of her. "But Emma won't like it."
1:48 pm
Emma would have been pacing if she had left her car. She'd asked Gilbert to meet her for lunch, a moment of weakness, and now he was late.
She shouldn't be worried. It was only half an hour- ok, 48 minutes late.
But she was worried. She knew he liked her too much to stand her up. Too much not to contact her if he was running late, or if something came up.
But she waited.
It was past two when she, no longer hungry, made her way to the 42nd.
His desk looked so empty without him. Sure, she had seen it in his absence before, but somehow, it just looked empty now.
Then something caught her eye. He'd taped photos of people on the wall next to his desk, photos of people from her dream. Tinkerbell, Regina, Gold, and Zelena.
"Swan?"
She didn't look up, knowing the voice of the person who was not her father.
"Hey, chief. What are these photos here for?"
"Suspicious deaths. Gil- Emma, please, come into my office. We- we need to-"
"Dead? Why are they here?"
"He- he had a theory they were connected, somehow. Please, Emma."
She knew that tone. She knew instantly. She couldn't help but look up at him, a friend when she had so few. The look in his eyes told her exactly what she didn't want to confirm.
"He's-Gil, he's-you're not going to tell me that he's-"
He hung his head. "He's gone."
I really didn't want to write that. I really like Gilbert, now. I'm thinking of writing something (if only for me) that has a happier ending for Gil - and Gil/Emma. Let me know if you'd like to see that, too. Anyway, thanks for reading.