Evie Blanchard walked alone down Main Avenue, counting the cracks in the sidewalk, her hands in the pockets of her skirt. She had just gone on a date with Chad Glass. Terrible, terrible date.
She sighed, kicked a stone, and looked up at the clock tower. When was the last time she had dated someone she liked? she didn't know. He'd come off as the complete arrogant jerk you'd expect from a reporter. Chad was everything someone like Miss Blanchard looked for—handsome, wealthy, and well-off. But he'd also been uninterested in a way that made Evie felt an old familiar sadness. Was she boring to other people? She was having so much trouble connecting. She was like she'd been dating the wrong men her whole life. And she really felt that she would never find that right person.
Her reverie was interrupted by what she saw across the street: Emma Thorne, Henry's biological mother, sitting in the front seat of her yellow VW Bug, reading a newspaper.
Evie smiled, crossed the street and tapped on the window.
You decided to stay in the city for Henry_.
She admired her. How not to do it?
I decided to stay_ Emma said, stretching out her legs. _What I can't believe is that there are no places to rent in this town_
She She had never really noticed. I guess everyone already has their home. There are not usually many moves_
What are you doing outside?_
Evie crossed her arms.
I had a failed date, thank you very much_
A cretin?_
Nobody said that true love was easy, right?_There I was again crying in the corners.
I would love to invite you for a coffee but I have run out of an educator_ she said in a saccharine tone.
You know you could stay at my house_she said suddenly. She surprised her, but as the offer hung in the air between the two women, she decided that she, somehow, felt good about it. Which would work. That they would get along.
She offered a follow-up smile and added:
Mal won't have a problem, but if you want I can call you now?
That's, um, very nice of you but no thanks I'm not a good tenant_
Of course. I don't want to pressure
Evie headed to her house. This was not a good night. Tomorrow she would be volunteering at the hospital. The people there, at least, would be happy to have her near her.
I've been looking for your father_
Sitting next to Henry on the upper platform of her castle, her legs dangling, Emma looked up at him.
Excuse me?_she said.
It was Saturday, but Audrey was busy all day, which meant that Emma and Henry could spend some time together. She'd hung out here before, and this seemed like the best, really. There's no reason to involve Audey, there's no reason to complicate it.
Don't feel bad, if you don't. The man really didn't leave a trace,' said Emma.
Because she had tried, once, to find him. To find both of them. She hadn't gotten very far, as the circumstances of his own abandonment of her as a baby were a bit murky. There was nothing. Any. There was no chance in hell that this girl knew anything she didn't.
I haven't done it yet, but he's here. The curse brought him here. In other good news I found a friend of your father_
Look_ Henry said, turning to a page that showed a man, wearing glasses, lying on a table in what looked like a clothing store. Next to him a beautiful lady with blue hair.
What are we supposed to do?_
the point is that he is here, and he is Miss Blanchard's true love, and she doesn't even know that he is here. I saw it. At the hospital. He has been in a coma for years_
Emma returned to the image. _This boy?_She said, pointing.
His name is Doug. Clumsy son_said Henry._we have to wake him up so he can remember who Evie is_
And Miss Evie is?_
The daughter of the evil queen_
Emma continued with her strategy of accepting what Henry said. The next question arose quite naturally:
How are we supposed to do?_
All we have to do is have her read this story to him_
Emma didn't say anything, she just looked out at the water.
Don't you think she is?_
"Yes, actually," said Emma. _As strange as it may seem. I do it completely
Henry smiled his radiant, irresistible smile.
So will you help me?_
Yes.But we are doing it my way. Not your way. My way. Understood?_
Emma was in apartment by Evie and Mal. A beautiful apartment with a somewhat urban punk style.
"Let me clear this up," Evie said, looking at Emma skeptically. _Do you want me to read the same children's stories that I gave Henry to a man in a coma?_
That's how it is._
And you want me to do this because Henry thinks the story will wake him up, because he and I are a couple in the world of fairy tales?_
Yes_
That's crazy_ this time it was Mal who spoke.
A bit_
The women were sitting on the sofa. Evie was pleased when Emma knocked on the door, and at first she thought it was about the roommate offer, but Emma, who was always blunt, it seemed, jumped right into the plan about the unnamed man in the room. Hospital. Everything was ridiculous.
E she reads the story to the man in bed and he won't wake up. Henry will see that nothing is happening and that will help him understand that there is no curse, and that we are not witches, fairies and goblins. It's a good plan_ Bad
Emma flashed a quick smile.
"Something like that," she said.
And then Evie agreed. Why? There were many reasons. She liked Emma liked the plan to help Henry; she liked the simple elegance of the solution. She even liked the opportunity to read to a patient, a patient, she would have to admit, she had noticed Doug several times, she had walked past him and she had felt that quiet flash of familiarity somewhere in the room. mind of her On the way to the hospital, with the book under her arm, she wondered if she liked Doug because she was always there, always so consistent, always so reliable. No, he didn't reply, and no, he had no idea who she was, but he always stayed the same. He was like her. He was alone and trapped here in Storybrooke.
It was amazing how little life in the village seemed to change. She'd been here for so long, but every year, the kids seemed to be the same, her mixed feelings about Storybrooke seemed to be the same, and her loneliness, a murky part of herself that just didn't believe she was meant to be a homebody, not knowing. hardly anyone, spend the nights alone, drinking tea. apple...well, it never changed. Was Storybrooke stagnant or safe? It was both. Little things like this, visits to the hospital, had as much to do with occupying her time as with the work itself.
She sat down next to her bed, made herself comfortable and opened the book.
She looked at the words, looked back at the stretcher.
I know this is strange_ she said. _I'm doing this for a friend. Try to be patient with me_ She looked at her through the wide glass windows she looked back at the patient and raised her eyebrows. _Sorry if he gets boring_
She reads. She read the story Emma had told her to read and gradually fell into it. He read about A group of 4 children who had lived on an island all their lives «The Island of the Lost» was a horrible place. Not only because it served as a kind of pressure for the villains but it was a deplorable place where lived in the worst conditions. Until one day they managed to get out, thanks to the proclamation of a young king She continued the story where the 4 boys discovered that they were more than criminals and began to live their own lives with their own rules.
She stopped at the word "businesswoman." She was the daughter of the Evil Queen, a girl who had grown up to be beautiful and get a prince. But no she had gotten more she was a famous designer, she didn't need a man. However, she had it. Doug and the princess were a great team at work but also sentimentally.
She felt useless, stupid all her life, the only thing she had wanted was to get a man. I wish I could be a little more like the girl in the story. Beautiful, enterprising and independent.
She was still caught up in the emotion of the story.
Impossible.
But she had felt it.
Slowly, knowing what she would see, she let her eyes move from the book to her left hand, resting on the edge. Her heart, already beating fast, began to pound.
Her hand was on her hand.
Not just in her hand. squeezing it.
She stood up, covered her mouth and pulled her hand away from hers. After one last look at her still-closed eyes, she went to find a doctor.
Henry and Emma sat together in the restaurant, waiting for Mary Margaret to arrive and tell them about reading the story the night before.
I don't want you to get your hopes up_ Emma said, sipping her hot chocolate.
They both looked up as Mal, looking more excited than Emma had ever seen her, burst into the restaurant and headed straight for her table.
She woke up_ she said, slipping into the cabin.
Emma didn't even want to guess what kind of smile was on Henry's face. This was not the plan.
She _grabbed her hand. Right at the end of the story_
She's remembering_said Henry. He nodded to himself, as if this made perfect sense, and stood up. _Let's go to the hospital_he said. _Let's go!_.
Emma tilted her head and looked at Mary Margaret. _What are you doing?_.
He really did hold my hand_Evie insisted, sounding more like Henry now than Emma wanted to consider.
We did it, there was some kind of connection_
Well, then I guess we'd better go see for ourselves," she said.
• • •
Sheriff Lonnie greeted them all at the door, hands up in a way that made Emma think something else had happened.
What is it?_ He said, stopping in his tracks.
It's nothing to worry about_Lonnie said, looking over his shoulder. _I take it you're here because of what happened last night?_Lonnie.
What's going on?_ said Evie. _He's fine?_
It's not that he's not okay_she said, turning around and leading them to the ground. _He is gone_
Disappeared?_said Emma. _How is that possible?_
"It's not possible," said the Doctor.
"And yet he's not here," said Emma.
Someone took it?_
The entire room fell silent, looking over her shoulders. Emma heard the click of heels. She tensed and turned in time to see Audrey walking toward them.
What did you do?_Henry asked him.
Her face softened a bit as she looked up at him, leaned over and touched him on the shoulder.
Nothing, Henry. I'm here to find out what happened to him_
Why would the mayor get involved with a missing person?_ asked Emma.
Audrey straightened up.
Because I'm his emergency contact _
Do you know him?_ Evie asked.
I don't know him, I found him. Years ago. Near STORYBROOKE mines _
"But wait," Miss Evie said. _If he's out there, somewhere, wherever he is, can he...? You can't just wake up from a coma and be fine, she looked at Dr_right?_
He's been on feeding tubes for years, his legs are atrophied and, if he's conscious, he's disoriented and panicked. So no. He is not well. He has to come back here immediately_
Then find him_said Audrey taking Henry's hand. _This is not a place for you_
Protesting with his eyes, Henry gave Emma a knowing look before being dragged away. She knew what was in his head. Go get him, she told him.
Emma, Lonnie, Mal, and Evie stalked the woods for hours hoping to find the missing man, each swinging a flashlight beam back and forth through tree trunks and thick bushes. and prickly. The sheriff was a good tracker and he had managed to keep track of him for a decent distance before losing him. Evie, Emma noted, seemed oddly excited about it all. Emma wondered what was going through her head. Most likely, she was thinking that she was responsible in some way. God help her if he thinks he's her prince charming, Emma thought.
They spiraled away from where the trail ended, but the three reconnoitered after thirty minutes of little success. Emma had been about to suggest that they wait until morning to resume the search, when they heard a creak from the direction of the hospital.
Who's there?_Li she said dryly, decisively, in the direction of the noise.
Without answering, Henry appeared in the clearing with the characteristic smile on his face.
Emma, going to him.
Your mother will kill me if she knows you're here_
Have you found it?_Henry asked, looking from Emma to the Sheriff.
I'm sorry, Henry. Not yet. And Emma is right: we have to take you home_
"I can help though," said Henry. _I know where she goes she _
Where?_ said Evie. _How could you know?_
I know because I already know the story_
He bolted before Emma could grab him by the back of her shirt, and after an awkward moment of staring at each other in silence, the other three ran after him, calling his name.
Fast for a little half-pint, Emma thought, dodging left and right to avoid barely visible tree trunks. She was running too fast to keep her light steady, and she only caught occasional glimpses of the large backpack she bounced off of Henry.
Boy_she shouted. _Waiting! Where are you going? _But Henry never slowed down.
He led them through the forest to the banks of a river that Emma had not yet seen. Henry stopped and turned, waiting for them to rejoin; Evie had fallen behind and finally came out as well.
It's the bridge_said Henry, pointing into the darkness.
Emma looked where he was pointing. The road out of Storybrooke crossed the river here, spanning it on a rusty white bridge.
When she looked back at Henry, ready to ask what the hell she was talking about, he was already looking near the tree line. _It has to be here somewhere_
Oh my God_Evie said, her hand over her mouth. She pointed towards the river. _There_ she said, _He is there. I see_
Doug was actually there. Face down in the river, not moving, his hospital gown billowing in a cloud around him.
Lonnie got to him first, wading across the river. He had the man upright in an instant and dragged him to shore, then pulled his walkie-talkie from his belt and called an ambulance. As he spoke, Miss Blanchard knelt down, placed a hand on Doug's chest, and leaned slowly into her face.
Come back to us_ she told him.
Uncomfortable, pretty sure the man was dead, Emma watched grimly from above as Evie administered mouth-to-mouth. Emma didn't know what to make of it, none of it. She didn't dare tell Mary Margaret the obvious. Holding Doug's wrist and waiting for a pulse, Lonnie was probably thinking the same thing. And was she crazy, or was Evie kissing Doug?
Before long, Henry was standing next to Emma, watching too. He had an impulse to cover her eyes.
She'll be fine. Don't worry._She has to kiss him to wake him up_Henry said with an air of complicity
Emma could hear sirens in the distance.
And then Doug gasped.
Emma could feel Henry's excitement at the sound, and she took a few steps toward them, Henry following behind her.
She woke him up!_he said. Emma didn't know what had happened. She focused the light on the boy's face and was surprised to see that his eyes were open and he was looking at Evie.
Thank you, _she managed to say. She wiped her face, wet from the river, and looked around her in confusion.
My name is Evie Blanchard.Do you know who you are?_
The man was so stunned and confused that he couldn't answer.
Minutes later the ambulance arrived, and Dr. Whale and the paramedics loaded John Doe up. Emma glanced at Evie, who was looking worriedly. Within a minute, the ambulance was gone.
He's got it bad, Emma thought.
We should go to the hospital and see how she is doing _
Emma came closer.
We should. Let's go. Let's go_
Silently they climbed the slope and ended up on the bridge.
They had to walk all the way back to the little hospital in Storybrooke, and when they got there, Emma noticed, several new vehicles were parked out front. She sneered at Audrey's Mercedes, then at the ambulance parked on the emergency lines near the door.
Inside, several nurses, as well as the Doctor, stood around the patient's bed, examining him.
Just as they reached his bed, Audrey saw them and came out to intercept them.
I'm not sure what you think you're doing in this town, Nancy Drew_ Audrey said to Emma, _but I'm getting tired of the trouble you've started causing me_
What will happen to him?_ Evie said weakly, ignoring this stare, ignoring Audrey s anger.
He's unstable, confused... so much time absent_ said the doctor.
Come on, Henry_said Audrey. _To home._
As he passed Evie, Henry glanced at her. He made no effort to lower his voice when he said: _
He woke up because of you. The history. True love. It is your destiny to be together
A message from Chad reached her he wanted to see her. Tonight at midnight.
Audrey took Henry's hand.
Excuse me_ said Emma behind her back. _Madam Mayoress_
Audrey turned.
A word before you go?_
Audrey asked.
I am so happy about this. But I am going to ask him to stay away from my child. Every time he is close he puts him in danger_
None of this made sense. What she saw on the bridge as a kiss woke someone up from a coma in such a magical way.
Evie was sitting at the kitchen table in Mr. Glass's luxurious house with one hand half holding a glass of water and the other resting on her lap.
She took a sip of wine, sighed, ran her fingers through her hair.
He was the perfect man. Handsome, wealthy, single, young. But his mind was still on the bridge. His mind was still in the hospital.
Evie introduced herself to where she was going in this relationship, she wondered if they were in a relationship.
Mal was in her apartment. She listening to some music while she was preparing dinner. Someone knocked on the door. It was Emma.
The two women looked at each other. Mal found himself smiling then, just a little.
Hello, Emma_she said.
Hi_
What I can do? Everything is alright?_
Everything is fine_Emma said. _The mysterious man is awake and the evil princess is asleep in her tower. We are fine_
Mal laughed a little and opened the door a little wider.
Do you want to come in?_she said. _I have some dinner that I could share_
Actually, Evie offered a room and well I wanted to know if she was still up_
Absolutely. Go ahead._ she said excitedly.
Emma nodded and entered the room. She took a look around her.
Good place you have here_said Emma. She put her hand on the counter. _Much prettier than the backseat of a car._
The two women laughed.
I can't complain.Emma. Welcome._