The next morning. I wake up, to find that it is 8.24am and damn, I've slept through my alarm and have only got thirty-six minutes, before I have to be at the sheriffs station.
It is my first day, as a deputy and being late, on your first day is not a good way to make a good impression.
So, I end up rushing around the room. Looking for my hair brush, clean underwear and the uniform I have to wear.
The uniform itself, is a total disaster. Like, I know nothing about fashion, but who thought an olive green shirt, with black indents and tie would be a good idea.
By Eight forty-eight, I am out the door and when I finally arrive at the sheriffs station, I have a few minutes to spare and Mr Nolan is waiting for me.
"Good Morning Deputy Swan" he says with a big smile.
"Good Morning Sheriff" I then answer, with a smirk.
"Looking forward to your first day?" he then asks.
"Sure am"
"Well, I better show you around. Explain how things work here"
"Okay"
He then begins to walk away and towards one of the desks.
"This, will be your desk" he tells me.
"Oh, right" I frown.
The desk has a heap for paper upon it, a lamp, some stationary and coffee mug.
"Don't worry. I won't give you the boring jobs just yet" Mr Nolan then jokes and I am glad to hear that.
As paperwork, has never been one of my strong points. I'd rather, be out, catching the bad guys.
I'm then, given the guided tour of the station and everything seems easy enough to remember.
"Right, I guess I should take you out on your first petrol. I can show you the usual routes and our protocols"
"Sure, sounds like the best bit" I smile and he shakes his head in amusement.
"I think, were going to get on just fine swan" he then says and I am glad to hear that.
"Call me Emma" I then tell him and he nods.
"Okay, you can call me David"
"Cool" I smile and we head out to the petrol car.
A few minutes later, we are heading down one of the roads, when I see a big building, that looks important.
"What is this place?" I ask.
"The mayor's office"
"Oh" I reply, with widening eyes.
The mayor. The lovely mayor from last night, I think to myself with a small smile.
"Have you meet the mayor yet?" David then asks me and I shallow thickly.
"Yeah, I have. Um, last night actually"
"Last night?" he then asks, with a look of confusion.
"Yeah, I kind of walked by her house and she came out and called after her cat"
"That explains it" he then says seriously, before adding "You see, she doesn't go out at night. That's why I was slightly surprised, that you met her last night"
"Why doesn't go out at night?" I reply in confusion and David sighs.
"Its a long story. One, I don't think is my place to say"
"Oh"
We then continue on, and come across some kids. Who are graffitiing a wall.
"We get this a lot" David explains. As he pulls the car up, to where the three boys are and they spot us and run off.
"Couldn't we go after them?" I ask seriously and David sighs.
"We don't need too. I know, who their parents are and a visit to them, should stop them for a while"
"Oh" I frown. Things are certainly done differently here.
He then, goes on to explain how he handles issues that arise and that, petty vandalism is not a top priority.
Keeping the streets safe and protecting, its citizens is number one.
I learn, that the crime rates are low here. Mainly due to initiatives, brought in by the mayor.
"How long has she been mayor?" I find myself asking.
"Four years"
"That's a pretty long time"
"It is, but she does a good job"
"I'm sure she does" I then smile and we continue on our petrol.
A couple of hours later, I have finished my first day as deputy. And I am now, sitting in the diner drinking a hot chocolate with whipped cream.
"So, how did you first day go?" Ruby asks me, after a while and I think for a moment.
"It went, well, I think"
"You think?"
"Yeah"
"Okay" she then laughs and I am about to take a sip of my drink, when the bell chimes above the diner door and In walks Mayor Mills.
I then, nearly choke my self to death and I end up coughing loudly.
My coughing fit, then seems draw the attention of other customers and of course the mayor herself.
Ruby ends up patting me on the back and I look over to the mayor, who is now looking back at me, with a raised eyebrow.
Damn. Everything about this woman, is just beautiful and I feel like a fool, because I've just shown myself up in front of her.
But to my surprise, she starts to walk over to my table and I start to feel slightly nervous, about what she may say.
"Hello Miss Swan. Is everything alright?" she asks, once she is standing in front of me.
"Yep, I'm good Madam Mayor. Thanks for asking" I slightly croak out and I try to clear my throat.
She then gives me a odd look. One, I can't quiet describe but its soon gone, as she looks to Ruby.
"Can I have my usual, to take away, Miss Lucas" she asks politely.
"Sure thing Mayor Mills" Ruby then replies simply and heads off, leaving me sitting there, looking up at the mayor.
I need to find out her first name, I think to myself. And I must of been staring at her for to long, as I hear her clear her throat and say "Are you sure your okay Miss Swan, as you are staring at me. As if, we are in some kind of staring contest"
"Oh, um, sorry. I didn't mean to stare" I look down and curse myself, for acting like an idiot.
"Okay. Well, I hope your first day went well at the Sheriffs Station and I shall leave you, too enjoy the rest of your evening" she then says and walks off to the counter, to wait for her order.
I then sigh. As, I find myself wanting to know more about this intriguing woman. But I don't, want to come across as some crazy stalker.
I'm sure, she already thinks I'm a little crazy. Having appeared at her house late at night and now caught staring at her.
Why to go swan, I tell myself and a few minutes later. I see her heading to the door with her order and I wonder, if she'll look back over at me before she leaves.
But I am then left disappointed. As the bell chimes and she walks out, without another glance...
Two days later, I am sat at my desk at the sheriffs station. Looking at paperwork.
I am meant, to get through nine forms by one o'clock, but I can't be assed.
So, I lean back in the chair and look to the clock upon the wall.
It says, that I have an hour and twenty minutes left, before David picks them up, and takes them over to the mayor's office.
I've got plenty of time, I convince myself. As I then stand up and go over to the darts board.
A few throws won't hurt.
I then lose track of time and jump, upon hearing David's voice.
"Emma!" He says seriously and I snap my head towards him in surprise.
I hadn't expected him to be back so soon.
"Slacking on the job already?" he then says with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Nope. Just taking a mini break" I reply seriously.
"You know, the mayor will have our heads, if she doesn't have that paperwork completed"
"She can't be that bad"
"She can, when she wants too. Believe me"
"Oh, okay" I frown and head back to the desk.
"Do you need any help?" he then asks and I take a deep breath.
"Maybe I could do with a little. I know you explained everything but paperwork is not my thing"
"Okay" he then replies and he comes to sit next to me and we both work through the forms. Which I know are necessary, but boring as hell.
By three pm, I am finished for the day and David returns from the mayors office.
"You still here?" he asks cheerfully, as he walks in and puts his jacket, on the back of the chair, at his desk.
"Yeah, leaving now though"
"Okay. Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening"
"Thanks" I smile and I put on, my red leather jacket. However, before I leave, I ask "So, how did it go at the mayor's office? was she happy with the paperwork?"
"Yes, the paperwork was fine. We actually had a little chat about you" he laughs.
"Oh?" I reply and I really want to know, what she has said about me.
"She asked, how you were settling in to your position here"
"What did you say?" I reply with curiosity.
"Well, I may of said, that you are not right for the position after all" he tells me seriously and I suddenly, start to internally panic.
I thought I was okay. How am I going to afford my room at the bed and breakfast. How am I going to survive. Are all thoughts running through my head.
I then, think David see's the sudden panic upon my face and he steps towards me, putting a hand upon my arm.
"I was only joking Emma" he says softly. "Sorry" he apologizes.
I then take a deep breath.
"I actually told her, that you are doing great job so far and that, you will make a great permanent deputy"
"Really?" I smile.
"Yes. You got to believe in yourself more Emma"
"I know...Thanks"
"Okay, well, get yourself out of here and enjoy the rest of the day"
"Right" I smile and then head out the door and I head down to the docks.
I had found a bench, I had rather liked to sit on, upon my visit there yesterday.
It was a good spot to relax. The last thing my baby needed was a stressed out mom.
When, I finally sit upon said bench. I look out and put a hand to my belly.
I hope, my baby will have everything I didn't.
I was an orphan at birth. Passed from family to family. Some, treated me better than others, but in the end, they couldn't of loved me. Otherwise, why did I keep ending up back at the orphanage.
By the time I was fifteen, I fended for myself.
I ran away from that awful place and found a best friend, who for the first time in my life actually cared about me. That's what I thought at the time. But like everyone else, she left as soon, as her father came back into the picture.
I then met a man, who gave me a roof over my head, food and good company.
I ended up, in my first real relationship with that guy but I should of known it wouldn't last.
It was too late, when I realized he was a criminal and I ended up being put in prison.
That make it harder to find a job, when I was released.
So, I became a bounty hunter. Working for myself.
I was pretty good at it.
Life was looking up again.
However, Things took another turn when I met Killian Jones.
I thought, this actually may be it for me. Finally somethings going right and everything was good for a while.
But then, he became controlling.
Convincing me, that it was all in my head and he made me give up my job.
Soon enough, I found out he was an alcoholic. A violent one.
I thought I could change him. But I was a fool.
However, once I knew I was pregnant. I know I had to leave. I wasn't going to raise my child in a violent home.
And here I am now. Nearly five months later. With a roof over my head. A new job and possibly the chance of some real happiness here.
I am brought out of my memories. When I hear a soft, familiar voice say "Miss Swan?"
I look sideways, to see the mayor beginning to sit down, upon the bench next to mine.
I am momentarily surprised to see her here and I end up staring at her again.
"Your staring again dear" she smirks and I begin to blush, whilst looking down to my lap in embarrassment.
"Sorry. I wasn't expecting to see you here" I reply and I look back over to her, as she puts her hands in her lap.
She's wearing a long black coat, a scarf and black gloves.
"Obviously" she then replies sarcastically and looks outwards for a moment. Before looking back at me.
"Are you not cold?" she asks, now gesturing, to what I am wearing.
"Oh" I look down at myself.
I am only wearing my leather jacket over my uniform and I don't have anything to keep the cold out.
"I'm okay really" I try to explain and she looks at me disbelievingly but looks away again.
"Do you come down here often?" I then ask, wanting to keep a conversation going.
"Once or Twice a week. I find it be a good place to think"
"Yeah. I think I know what you mean" I reply softly and squeeze my hands together.
It is, getting rather cold now.
"How was your day?" I then ask and she looks sideways, towards me.
"Long"
"That bad?"
"Well, I had a meeting with the local pawnshop owner. He was rather insistent, that I give Belle her library renovation"
"Will you give in?" I smirk and she scoffs.
"Not a chance in hell" she then answers and adds "She can have a few more books. As I told him, but we just don't have the budget to do what he wants"
"What kind of budget does this town have?" I then ask.
"Sadly, a small one. But that's politics"
"Well, I don't know much about politics but you seem pretty smart" I then say seriously and she smiles.
"Thank you" her voice softens and I tilt my head.
"For what?" I then ask.
"For saying that I am smart. I don't think anyone in this town, has ever said that to me before"
"Really?" I frown. Because really? she's the mayor for gods sake. You have to be pretty smart to became a mayor.
"Yes. I don't receive many compliments, but when I do, its always about my looks" she sighs.
"Oh" I frown and we sit in silence for a long moment.
"May I ask, what your first name is?" I get the courage to ask. I really want to know her name.
"Regina" she replies simply.
"That's a nice name" I then, find myself saying without thinking and she smiles. Brighter than before and I suddenly feel warmer inside.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" she then asks.
"You seem like a good person"
"That is nice of you to say dear. May I ask you a question?"
I nod.
"Why did you come to Storybrooke?"
"I don't know. I was just driving along the road at night and saw the sign for this place. I thought about driving back the way I came. but then, I saw a swan"
"A swan?" Regina repeats, with a raised eyebrow.
That damn eyebrow again.
"Yeah a swan. It was waddling along the side of the road, heading to Storybrooke and I thought, Its got to be a sign, you know" I smile and she chuckles.
"You are an idiot" she then mutters and I shake my head in amusement.
"Its a true story" I then tell her and she smiles. Before, taking a more serious tone.
"Do you believe in signs? fate?" she asks.
"I think so. Do you?"
"No. And If I did, I would of hoped, that it would of been more kind to me"
This makes me frown.
"Maybe better things are around the corner" I try and she sighs, before standing up.
"I should get back to the office. I have a few things to pick up" she explains.
"Okay. Well, it was nice talking with you Regina"
This earns me a small smile.
"And you dear. Enjoy the rest of your day" she says softly and then begins to walk away. Leaving me, to wonder about her life and how, I can make it better...
Thanks for reading everyone.