"What is this song?" Emma grimaced from the back seat of the cruiser she hadn't quite woken up yet and the repetitive screeching of the guitar was all she could hear. If Emma had to go back to school could it at least do so in peace.

"It's Grahams tape" David explained "It's stuck. This music is all that plays."

"A tape? I can't believe I never realised how stuck in the past this town is" Emma smiled it was like she had been looking at everything through fog but now it was all clear, so even though she was tired not in the mood for class she had to keep pinching herself because she was getting a ride to school in the back seat while her parents sat in front maybe she needed to stop being moody and just enjoy the moment.

"Come on I know you love this song it's great" David grinned turning up the classic Journey power ballad a little and starting to sing along then Mary Margret came in at the chorus she smiled looking behind at Emma waiting for her to start. Emma shrugged and joined in when David pulled the car over out the front of the school it all looked the same as if nothing had changed everyone walking through those gates again like it was a regular Tuesday.

"See you at lunch" Mary Margret leaned over giving David a kiss on the check and steeping out of the car she took a deep breath. Mary Margret went from being an English teacher to unemployed and now she had to run the place, it was daunting.

"Bye" Emma waved at David and tried to open the door but it was locked. She remembered she was in the back of a police car that can only be opened from the outside. she huffed.

"Ma'am you'll have to stay put, until an officer can open the door for you" David said in his best police officer voice laughing at his dad joke. Emma was not impressed.

"Cruisers not so great for school drop offs" Emma smiled, Mary Margret opened the door for her she quickly got out

"You guys are going to class you promised" Mary Margret reminded Emma before she ran off

"I know" Emma tried not to roll her eyes she hadn't skipped that many times had she?

Waving goodbye Emma walked over to her friends, Killian and Elsa who seemed to be in a serious discussion. All Emma wanted to know was why he took off so early this morning.

"We have a teenage daughter" Mary Margret laughed as Emma ran off turning back to her husband with a smile

"We missed so much" he noted sadly

"We won't be missing anymore" They smiled at each other even though they were so happy to have Emma back that happiness came with pain knowing they hadn't been there for so many important moments of her life and they could never get that time back.

"Killian, were did you run of to this morning you missed pop tart Tuesday" Emma smiled as she walked into Killians arms it only been a few hours since she last saw him but she was so used to spending the morning with him it felt weird not having him there at the breakfast table.

"Me and some of the boys I know down by the pier went out and got a tug to bring the Jolly Roger in we had to go early before the tide came, now I can work on repairs"

"That's good you'll be back home soon" more importantly Emma and Killian could have a place where they could get some alone time again.

"Killian said you had people over last night looking for Lily" Elsa asked to impatient to wait for them to go through all the small talk she wanted to know about the strange new visitors from outside of town limits.

"Yeah we didn't know what to say, we just told them she left town but I think there sticking around"

"Hopefully they haven't noticed anything, you know weird about this town"

"You think the endless town meetings escaped their attention or the seven men carry axes down Main Street of to work did"

"Probably not but maybe they just think this town is peculiar"

At the mention of the strange occurrences that happen in this little seaside town Killian remembered the incident by the pier this morning he forgotten for a moment.

"Someone was taken this morning by the night demon down at the pier, I didn't see it happen but you could feel its presence after it was gone"

"It's taking more"

"How are we going to fight this thing" Emma was determined she was going to stop this demon it was her responsibility.

"We will find a way" Killian encouraged, right when the bell rang

"After class" Elsa smiled she was glad they were going back, although explaining this whole thing to Anna was hard but she was confident her little sister be ok making through the minefields of high school there were a lot of familiar faces around here.

Killian pulled out his timetable he never really paid much attention to it before but he knew it was time to move forward and graduate, it was confusing bunch of numbers and letters in a grid format he frowned trying to decipher it.

"Killian your holding it upside down" Elsa smiled she took it from him flipped it around the right way to read "You have history first period that's over in the far corridor, I swear your as bad as Anna"

"I guess I'll see you at lunch" Killian kissed Emma on the check as he made his way to class for probably the seventh time in his fifteen years at Storybrooke high.

Walking towards her locker her best friend by her side it should've felt good to be back to normal but Emma could feel it in the pit of her stomach nagging at her someone else had been taken it wouldn't be long until word spread and everyone was in a panic what if next time it was Elsa there was no time for class Emma had to know if she could stop this now.

"Hey I'm just going to go to the bathroom I'll meet you in class"

"Ok" Elsa watched Emma walk off what was going on with her had she been to focused on her sisters return and Mulan she had left out Emma she would make sure nobody was forgotten.

Come on you've done this a thousand times there the same kids you've been teaching, for well fifteen years Mary Margret told herself over and over as she walked down the hall to her classroom taking a deep breath she burst through t he door as usual the students scrambled to their seats and hid their phones Mary Margret smiled it was just another Tuesday.

"Good morning, I know we've all been through a big change but I hope we can get back to routine it's time you guys finally move beyond the ninth grade" the class laughed but Mary Margret wasn't happy she looked around the room only to see Emma's seat was empty after she promised not to be running off anymore. Mary Margret gaze went to Elsa for answers she raised her eyebrows giving her a stern where is she look but Elsa just shrugged she was just at the lockers Emma should be here by now Elsa realised deciding to text Emma for answers.

"Ok will start where we left off oral presentations everyone" it was a lot simpler than she thought to get back into the swing of things being a teacher had become a big part of who she was it felt so good to be back to herself.

The third corridor girls' bathroom was empty by the time Emma arrived, this was good she wanted to be alone with her secrets. Everyone was already in class and tats where she should be but Emma couldn't fake it anymore it was eating at her she had to know more about this book and what Lily and her had done it was closer to a diary thin and old the pages barely staying in the leather bound cover.

"There has to be a way to take back what we did" Emma said to herself

It had more information then she thought all sorts of markings different people had written all over the musty faded pages but most of the information made no sense or was useless until she got about halfway through and she saw that symbol again. Emma's heart was racing hoping for a simple fix a way to put the genie back in the bottle and she found it alright but it came at a price right under the symbol someone had scribbled a way to reverse it to return the creature from where it came, thoughs who summoned it must make the sacrifice M. That was it then the only way to send it back was to be taken herself then it would be gone how could this be the only answer, Emma leaned against the wall she found a solution but it wasn't what she wanted she just found her family, a home for the first time in her life started to feel loved was that it she got the closest thing to a happy ending and then she had to give it all up. Emma's phone was buzzing over and over she couldn't keep ignoring it, Elsa had sent her five messages in the since she'd been in here. Looking down at her phone her eyes went wide realising her mistake she thought she had biology first period and her absence might not be noticed but she had English and her absence was definitely noticed.

"Oh crap" Emma muttered to herself as she rushed out of the bathroom to class.

Mary Margret realised that twenty or so minutes had gone by and still no Emma she couldn't be in the bathroom that long something must be wrong she wanted to check her phone.

"I'll be right back" Mary Margret excused herself for class for a moment

Mary Margret rushed outside why was she worried Emma was running late all the time somehow it never made her anxious like this but there where so many more variables now what if she got caught up with that childcare worker again, what if that night creature was back already, what if Regina was after revenge she texted David to ask if he'd heard from her.

Just as Mary Margret sent the message she looked up to see Emma coming towards her she was fine but she looked guilty unlucky for her Mary Margret's relief that Emma was ok was replaced by annoyance that she continued not to listen to her.

"Hey, I forgot.." she trailed off

"What that English was your first class, Emma can you please just do as I ask, for once"

"I'm sorry" Was all Emma could say and she actually was sorry feeling guilty amount what she had been doing that she was thinking of leaving if Mary Margret knew why Emma was late this would be a much longer discussion.

"Are you ok, what where doing"

"I fine, just in the bathroom like I told Elsa" Emma lied she'd gotten used to it she almost sounded believable

"Then let's go in" Mary Margret put her hand on Emma's back rubbing it as the made there way in she knew everything wasn't fine but she hoped Emma would tell her when she was ready so Mary Margret took a deep breath once more before heading back into the classroom.

It's going to work this time you've done this before even if that was long ago in a different land where you were a different person this should work, Regina told herself shaking her hands trying to get up the courage to try the spell one last time. Magic wasn't quite the same here, it was only fitting magic isn't supposed to be in this land at all. Unfortunately just as she drummed up the courage to go through with it there was three loud knocks at the door startled Regina she peered through the curtains to see Sheriff Graham and his new deputy the prince she grumbled.

"Regina, we know you're in their"

Rolling her eyes Regina made her way to the front door and opened it getting into character just as she pulled it open she didn't want anyone to know she was vulnerable they needed a show.

"You actually answered"

"Well I didn't want you to break down my door again, if you're here to cart me off back to that cell you're dreaming"

"No, just checking up"

"Does the Sheriff make house calls to check up on everyone in town or am I special"

"What are you doing in there" Graham asked ignoring her flirting

"None of your business"

They could tell by the look on her face and the smell coming from the kitchen there was something going on so they made their way inside ignoring Regina's protests. She couldn't believe it nobody was afraid of her and right now that's all she had to keep her safe and think of her next move, annoyed she knew it was time to prove she shouldn't be messed with. Regina charged in front of them throwing the last ingredient in the fire and finishing the spell and to her delight it worked there was a great big gust of wind and golden light went flying out around them.

"What did you do?"

"Relax, that was just a protection spell we don't want anyone else making their way into town I'm sure by now you know about our visitors"

"Yeah, why do you care if people come into town?"

"I have my reasons" Regina gulped "It's bad for all of us"

"What does this spell do what going to happen to the town now the curse is.."

"Broken, Storybrooke became part of this world you could say but it doesn't belong here and neither do we, now no one will be able to enter from the outside it will be as if the town doesn't exist"

"That's good" David answered confused why was Regina doing this out of the kindness of her heart what was she hiding. "Why can't we return home?"

"It's gone, there's nothing to go back too"

David face dropped it was gone it was true this was their home now no going back part of him thought if they could go back they wouldn't have to worry about the night demon but they would stand and fight.

"If you're done with your questions, you can leave"

"We will but there has to be no more magic where going to protect this town"

"No magic does that include your daughter I heard she put on quite the light display"

At the mention of Emma charming got fired up again he knew there wasn't much he could do but threaten but he would getting closer his hand reaching for his sword.

"And you stay away from her" David barked

Regina didn't answer she simply showed them the door they both left a little relieved unsure what was to come for now it seemed there where bigger fires to put out though, like the darkness swallowing up residents of Storybrooke.

It was so good to be back into routine Emma would never tell but she was glad they reopened the school making her way to lunch she was feeling slightly better but then that only made her feel worse why should she be ok while others suffered for her mistakes. Emma got to her locker slammed her books inside realising she'd forgotten to bring her lunch she could picture it sitting on the bench at home her stomach grumbled it was best not to dwell on it. When she closed her locker Mary Margret was standing there looking flustered.

"Emma hey how's class going"

"Alright some classes are a little small today and our math teacher had no idea what he was doing"

"Really, everyone said they were ok to begin class" Mary Margret was stressing another thing to add to the pile of work to do.

"I think he was just overwhelmed right now"

"I know what that feels like I've got a lot to do can you tell your father I won't make it for lunch"

"Yeah sure, you need help"

"No I'll be fine sweetie, just go get some lunch" Mary Margret noticed the lack of food in Emma's locker, Emma nodded waving good bye making her way out to the yard.

Elsa was over with her sister catching up she couldn't see Killian yet but David was out the front leaning on his cruiser smiling with a bag from Granny's, Emma was starving so she walk over to him straight away.

"Just me for lunch Mary Margret's got a lot on her plate"

"I thought so, she stopped texting me she must be busy I did here about you missing from class though"

"Of course you did, if I'm going to get a lecture can I at least get some onion rings?" Emma grinned

David handed her the bag Emma smiled they both leaned against the cruiser.

"Not a lecture just telling you we worry, another person went missing this morning"

"I heard"

"Then you know how serious this is we need to stay together and let everyone know where we are I just hope the whole town doesn't panic we just got everyone to relax"

"Everyone's lives have been turned upside down"

Emma didn't say anything her mind running through how this was all her fault it was like a domino effect breaking the curse magic coming back everything wasn't the same it was worse and it was her fault. They just ate for a while Emma was thinking, conflicting thoughts in her head she needed advice.

"Found Regina today, she was just at home doesn't seem to bother her half the town wants gone"

Emma tensed thinking about her she was still so angry by it all but also confused expecting retaliation by now but nothing the suspense was worse she was glad someone was looking into it.

"What Happened?"

"it was fine at first we thought she was up to something but it turns out she was protecting the town or herself I don't know what to believe, I don't think it's all over but something's changed she not the Evil Queen I remember"

"At least that's one thing we don't have to worry about for now"

"You shouldn't have to worry about any of this"

David looked down at Emma he should be able to protect her, this shouldn't be the worries of a fifteen year old.

"David, have you ever made a mistake but there was a possible way to take it back would do it even if it had, consequences"

"Emma, are you talking about you because this isn't your fault you broke the curse brought everyone together everything after that isn't your fault"

"Right, it's not my fault" Emma looked away she couldn't tell him the truth he'd only try to stop her anyway she had to do something he didn't say it but Emma was sure the charming prince she read about in Elsa book would do the right thing.

"David, you there going to need back up, sleepy fell asleep at the wheel ploughed into storefront"

David jumped into the cruiser got on the radio and respond to Graham so much for a lunch break.

"Graham, you ok"

"Yeah just need someone to direct traffic while I sort this out"

You could hear Leroy yelling through the radio how many times he told sleepy not to drive Graham was gone and it was silent so David went into dashing rescue mode.

"Your average Tuesday as the sheriff in Storybrooke" Emma laughed wondering what it would be like to be in that position.

"I got to take care of this, pick you up after school we can talk then"

"Yeah, good luck"

The cruiser took off and Emma made her way back inside her mind still focused on what she had to do this town had enough problems if she could take care of one it was her responsibility not a word Emma was familiar with but change was something she was getting used to.

"Emma hey, where have you been?" Elsa asked when Emma made her way over

"Just having lunch, how's Anna doing"

"Oh she's fine, like most of us not quite grasping the need for algebra but she's adjusting"

"That's good"

There was silence between the two friends for a few minutes both thinking hard about what they should do until Elsa finally got up the courage to ask what was really going on with Emma.

"Emma are you ok, and don't lie to me"

"No, this is all my fault the night demon I did this"

"What no you didn't, what do you mean"

"About four years ago when I first met Lily we were in this foster home together and our foster mother was well she wasn't really nice and Lily found this book of spells we didn't believe we just thought it would be fun there was a sort of curse it took people away people who were bad I guess, so we cast it tried to get rid of her nothing ever happened of course I just forgot about it until I found this yesterday" Emma pulled the book out from her jacket

"Wait the curse, was it the night demon"

Emma nodded looking down she was about to cry she had to be strong it just felt so good to tell someone it had been tearing her up inside since she found the book on Killians shelf yesterday. Emma handed it to Elsa so that she could see for herself.

"This diary it has the same symbol on it as Lily's book, it the same creature we did this, that's why it came for us, this is on me"

"It's not your fault how where you to know, you didn't even think magic was real"

"That doesn't change the fact that I'm the only one who can stop this now"

Emma pointed to the page she was reading earlier, eager to understand what Emma was on about she stuck her head down reading for a while. Elsa eyes went wide realising what Emma was thinking of doing as soon as she read passage about how to return the creature by sacrificing yourself.

"What Emma you can't"

It was too late Emma had taken off there where people all over the yard Elsa couldn't see her how did she run off so fast she had to stop her, save her from herself. It felt like the world was spinning but Elsa was the one going in circles, racing around trying to find her or anyone that could help she could feel her hands freezing over her she was losing control she had to focus.

"Elsa what are doing" Mulan asked seeing her girlfriend looking lost

That all she needed at the sound of her voice Elsa looked up seeing Killian and Mulan coming over they where over by the basket ball courts shotting hops they started doing it every since Peters funeral.

"What's wrong" Killian asked seeing the distressed look on her face.

"No time to explain we have to find Emma before it takes her"

"The night demon, wasn't Emma having lunch with David" Killian was panicked looking for Emma it didn't seem there was any danger at all.

"He's gone, we just have to find her, split up"

They all nodded and parted ways Elsa heart was pounding she tried to flick through the diary find more information something Emma missed maybe there was another way. Where would you go to find this creature Emma must have thought of that already, some place dark with no one around there was only one location that fit that description the boiler room under the school.

Emma's heartbeat was racing she wasn't ready for this ready to go it didn't feel right but maybe that was just selfish thinking, stay here happily while others suffer. Emma moved further down the stairs one slow step at a time it was definitely dark down here it reminded her of the basement where they were first attacked by the creature if she wanted to send out a come and get signal this was the place.

"Emma stop" Elsa yelled running down the steps to her

"What are you doing here, you got to go" terrified Emma didn't want anyone else getting hurt

"I won't let you do this"

"No it will take you too"

"Then it takes both of us because I'm not leaving you Emma"

"You don't understand this is the only way to keep everyone safe"

"No you didn't read the whole book, It's written right here the creature can be defeated by the light, there is another way you don't have to do this please Emma"

"I did this you don't understand people are getting hurt"

"I do I've hurt people, nobody expects you to be perfect Emma"

"I'm supposed to be a saviour"

"Says who? Huh? Rumple? Some stupid curse that Regina cast before you were even born? No, Emma. You don't have to be anything. Just my best friend, like you promised."

Elsa reached out her hand for Emma to take and come back up the stairs back to her friends and family reluctantly Emma placed her hand in Elsa's.

"Ok" Emma smiled through tears she knew she was right now reality set in Emma realised what she was about to do and the danger they were still in.

There was a crack way to similar to the noises Emma heard when the night demon attacked the first time Emma squeezed Elsa had they both tensed. Then the noise got louder something was coming for them, Elsa just reacted flinging her arms up in front of her and Emma she always had an instinct to protect people ice shot out everywhere coating the stairs and half the room.

"It's me, it's me"

"Killian"

"Emma, I thought you'd be here"

Killian ran towards her wrapping his arms around Emma, not being able to stop himself despite Elsa standing not a metre from them he passionately kissed her for a long moment she smiled glad to have so many people happy she was safe.

"Killian oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to" Elsa apologised noticing the ice crystals all over his jackets his leg stiff because of the chunks wrapping around his calves.

"It's ok I'm glad you where here some ones got to keep our girl safe"

"I'm sorry you guys that was stupid"

"It was brave, but don't ever do anything like that again" Killian smiled at her exhaling breathing easy was hard in this town.

"Ok, can we get out of her and if it's not too much to ask do me a favour and not mention this to David and Mary Margret"

"That's if nobody notices the boiler room that is usually steaming, is iced over"

"Where in trouble" Emma huffed as the three of them quickly slipped out the door upstairs and made their way to class.

Another knock on the door the second time today Regina frowned as she made her way through he marble floors to answer it she thought they would at least leave her alone now but apparently not she was surprised though when she opened the door a familiar face on she hadn't seen in twelve years.

"Was wondering if you'd show up"

"Mrs Mills you've aged well'

"Wish I could say the same, why are you standing on my doorstep"

"I was just seeing if we understand each other"

"About what"

"You keep my secret, I keep yours"

"I don't have secrets"

"Really you're not lonely, looking for the loving bond of mother and child"

"That was a long time ago; your secrets are far more dangerous"

"Maybe but you don't know the whole story I'll let you catch up"

She stuffed a file into Regina's hands and walked off feeling accomplished another lose end tied up she was sure Regina would silence her conscious to protect herself, now all she had to do was wait for Lily to return and to figure out what was going on with Emma Swan and her new family.

Well it wasn't your average Tuesday exactly but this might become the new normal hanging out with her parents getting herself into trouble trying to be hero having her friends save her arse didn't seem to be too bad of a life.

"Emma I'm heading down to the pier to start working on repairs you coming?"

"David's picking me up where hanging out"

"Ok, see you at dinner" Killian waved goodbye he got into his car, Emma told him to wind down the window for a second.

"What is it love"

Emma leaned in threw the opening just low enough the meet his lips giving him a little more than a kiss goodbye then she stood back up grinning.

"Forgot something" Emma smiled at him and he drove off leaving Emma with Elsa and Mulan.

"So what happened at lunch, Elsa won't tell me the truth" Mulan asked eyebrows raised

"Just your usual shenanigans I suppose"

"That's all I get"

"See you guys tomorrow" Emma walked off towards the cruiser where David was waiting

"Hey, how was your day"

"Well I went to class" Emma smiled "it was boring not a very eventful day"

"You know what's not boring"

"I have a feeling you're going to tell me"

"It turns out the store sleepy drove into was a donut shop and instead of throwing them all out there giving them away"

"That does sound interesting"

The drove into town listening to the tape still repeating the same songs over and over David had heard them so often he knew every note Emma giggled at him as he hummed along. The drove through the main street well tried to it was packed people where helping repair the store and clear the street of debris's, passing out delicious frosted free pastries it was like a street fair.

"Got you guys some donuts" Mary Margret came over to them up with a box they were surprised to see her thinking she'd still be at work.

"What are you doing here" David smiled hugging his wife glad he didn't have to wait until late tonight to hold her.

"I delegated, don't want to miss a moment of this" Mary Margret looked at her family smiling so happy to have the most important people in her life safe and happy she wanted to be there for all the time they had with each other because there was no way to take back the time that they lost.

"Awesome and you got bear claws" Emma grabbed a donut and the three of them leaned against the cruiser discussing their day watching the dwarfs try and carry the new glass window across the street with dopey leading the pack it was like a train wreck waiting to happen.

"How did it go finding Regina" Snow asked

"You knew we were going over there"

"Please I can tell when you're not going to let something drop"

"It went pretty good actually I'm not saying we shouldn't be careful but for the moment we can breathe easy when it comes to Regina at least"

"At least you had Graham with you I swear if something had happened" Mary Margret was tense

"Nothing happened, but it's about to" David noticed the dwarfs needed help he jumped up getting over to them just in time to lift up the new beam that would hold up the storefront it was close to knocking off people's heads the way it was being carried across the street.

"You ok" Emma asked about to follow

"Fine just stay back this isn't exactly an elite team of repairman"

"Speak for yourself" Leroy grumbled

Emma and Mary Margret tried not to look as they all worked together to put the beam in place it seemed at any moment it would all come crashing down. For a second there it seemed like it wasn't going to work but more people came over to help and they pulled it off together the crowd applauded the accomplishment.

"Anything interesting happen this afternoon" Mary Margret inquired

"No nothing really unless you believe calculus to be fascinating"

"So you wouldn't to have any idea as to why the boiler room was covered in ice" Mary Margret asked

"Nope, that's really weird" Emma looked down at her donut trying not to give herself away but Mary Margret wasn't buying it.

Notes: Really wanted to lay on the frozen swan and charming family this chapter and yeah there's always going to be lots of mama snow (Shrugs cause we dont get enough in screen)

Next Chapter: Something is contagious is infecting people in the halls Storybrooke high making them angry and violent Emma decides the can handle it themselves until they cant.