A/N: I wasn't actually planning on realising another chapter so soon. However this morning his royal Highness Prince Philip duke of Edinburgh died at his home in Windsor castle aged 99. He was able to spend his last days with the queen and his wife of over 70 years, after suffering medical issues that left him confined to a hospital bed for a month. I realise this chapter in honour of his service to his country, and as a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. May his numerous charities prosper. R.I.P Prince Philip.

I was up today feeling lighter and more refreshed than I have for a long time.

Hope blooms in my chest for what feels like the first time in a long eternity.

I can't pinpoint anything that I did differently, my routine was the same, as it was any other weekday I woke up around 6, got ready for my day, grabbed the graded papers from my table, stopped by granny's for my usual coffee and cookie, arrived to school In the nick of time, taught my class, spent my lunch break eating a crappy sandwich in the teachers lounge with Mary Margaret and finalising the cast list for our Christmas play, gave my grade 4 class a surprise test, went home, changed into some sweats, heated myself some Soup and began grading papers while watching tv.

Just any other normal day noting out of the unusual.

So I had no idea why this day another normal boring day, filled my body with elation

I must of looked truly dolally as I was humming the tune Mr. Brightside.

Heck I even left the apartment earlier than normal, with a skip in my Step.

The moment I step out the apartment building my attention, much like everyone else no the street is drawn to the clock towers.

It's numbers read.

8:36.

I approach Dr Hopper.

I see him most mornings though this is the first I've had enough time to approach him.

"Morning Archie, morning Pongo." I give the Dalmatian a pat on the head.

"Morning Hallie, looks like they finally fixed the clock."

It seems so.

"Well for the first time in a long time I'm actually out the door early and I really want to take my time, but we should catch up sometime." Archie offers me a smile.

"We should."

I stroll into granny's and wave to ruby.

"I'll get started in your order."

"Actually ruby is like to try something else today."

Ruby observes me in confusion.

I've had the same order everyday for years .

Pumpkin spiced latte with a double chocolate chip cookie.

"Okay, why do you want?"

I rack my eyes over the menu.

"I'll take a mocha Frappuccino and I'll have a raspberry muffin."

Ruby begins the order, I look around the cafe to see who's decided to take a stop here this morning.

Familiar faces pop out, (is that Henry? Why isn't he on the bus?) though their is one who sticks out to me.

With long blond hair and a red leather jacket. I'm pretty sure I've never seen her around before, maybe she's the stranger Ruby was going on about.

Last night ruby texted me, telling me they actually had a guest staying in the B .

I imagine granny was exited.

Also her mugshot was on the front page.

"Stranger destroys historic sign."

If I remember correctly.

I had a-bit of time to kill so I might as well introduce myself.

We don't get visitors.

I calmly walk up to the woman in the booth.

"Is this seat taken?"

The blond woman looks up startled.

"Uh no, it's all yours."

I slid in the booth and held out my hand.

"I'm Hallie Brown, of course everyone calls me Hallie."

The mystery woman smiles before grabbing my hand.

"Emma Swan."

I attempt to make conversation while I wait for my order.

"So what bought you to storybrooke, it's not exactly the tourist destination of the year." I joke.

Emma thankfully smiles.

"Well maybe small not exactly tourist destination towns are my favourite destination towns." I can appreciate the banter, it's always nice to have someone fresh to banter with.

"I'm just here for a week, not exactly sure why I'm here but maybe I'll figure it out."

"Hallie, order up!" Ruby calls out to me.

I grab my handbag and bid Emma fair well.

"Well this is a pretty small town so I'm sure we will run into each other at so point, but if we don't then I hope you find whatever it is your looking for."

"Thanks."

With one last smile I grab my order and walk to my car.

The day passes Quickly, mostly because I let the kids watch a movie today. soon I am making my to the dance studio.

Difference was, this week Paige had her first lesson.

Much like I expected, Maxine was not impressed with my decision, though trusted me to make sure Paige caught up.

(Reading between the lines, if this goes wrong my head is on the chopping block.)

So I sent Paige a printout of the dance sheet for her to practice before today.

The closer it got to 5'o'clock the more exited I became.

To top to all off, I had a very productive beginners ballet class, we actually got rough the entire lesson WITHOUT the Lesson being stopped for pictures.

Finally it was time for jazz, my students walked through the doors placing their bags down, then I spotted her.

Paige was right at the back, trying to keep her head down.

"Alright guys find a spot arm width apart."

12 children all spread about.

"Let's begin with the warm up."

"6 jumping jacks."

The students all follow my lead after I count 6 we stop.

"Next is light jogging in place."

I make sure to keep my eye on Paige, insuring she's doing okay.

And she is.

"Time to stretch are arm muscles, Large arm swings forwards"

I count 10 seconds.

"Now backwards"

Another 10 seconds.

"Alright last of all we are going to do some torso twisting."

I count 15 second this time.

"Okay relax."

I find it quite amusing how almost sincly the kids shoulders drop.

"Paige please come and join me."

Paige aware of the eyes on her keeps her head down.

"This is Paige, she's new, I'm aware that we've never had such an enrolment this close to Christmas, but I expect you to make her feel welcome."

I gesture everyone to stand up.

"Alright let's have a run through of everything we've learned so far the familiarise ourselves."

Now the work begins

"Paige please come here."

I lean down to Young girl.

"Now Paige I know you have already practiced a portion of the dance however if you are still uncomfortable with some of the moves,that's okay, don't feel like you have to keep going just because you have to, just step off to the side and gather your bearings, nobody expects you to be 100% right away."

Paige nods confidently.

"I've been practicing really hard."

I gesture Paige to find her spot.

I return to my other students who by now have taken their places,

I turn on the stereo.

Mary poppins " supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" begins to play.

My students begin the routine, I observe the jazz walks making sure they were up on their Demi points, ball changes first front then back, pivot's,Chaîné turns, pirouette's,Battement's or as I call them Jazz kicks, Lindys,chassé's and finally jazz leap.

There are a few wobbles on the pirouette's and they could kick higher on Baytement's.

To my surprise Paige is keep up quite well, okay their were a few missteps, it with the extra lessons I have no doubt she will end up being one of my most talented students, I can see that she has natural grace and discipline that once applied confidently shall boost her forward.

She's defiantly one to keep an eye on.

The lesson moves along swiftly, as do the next few hours.

The drive back to my house was relatively quiet and the streets were practically empty.

It was just me and my radio.

The rain was getting heavier infact its getting hard to see through my -

BAM!

Something hits my car before rolling over.

Oh my god!

I slam my foot down on the break and the tires screech as we come to a sudden halt.

I quickly jump out the car, completely unbothered by the pouring rain.

Oh shit!

Laying face down In the middle of the road, is a man.

"Sir! Oh my gosh!"

I rush to the man and get to my knees.

Remember you first aid training I don't touch him, in case of brain injury.

Is he dead?

To my complete and utter relief the man lets out a moan.

At least he's not dead.

"Sir, just hold still I'm going to call 911."

"No" the man speaks

"What?"

"No hospital."

"But I just ran you over you need serious medical attention, you could have internal bleeding."

"No hospital!" He's firm about that.

"Okay at least let me take you back to mine."

The man begins to shake his head.

I put my foot down.

"You need medial attention, so either you allow me to take you back to my house or we go to the hospital your choice."

I put on my best serious face.

This stranger looks at me most likely weighing his options.

Though he does nod albeit reluctantly.

I grasp his right arm and place it around my neck, then use my left arm to wrap around his waist.

Thank goodness for palates, this man was not light.

We stumbled my car where I successfully get him seated in the passenger side, I place his seat belt on, trying not to lean on him.

I don't want to injure him any more than I have.

I rush to my side and jump in.

Starting the engine I speed back to my place.

The incoherent man begins to closes it eyes.

No that's not a good idea.

I click my fingers.

"You can't fall asleep."

"Okay" his vice is so quiet I have to strain to hear what he says.

I need to keep him alert.

"What's your name?"

"Jefferson... my names Jefferson."