TemperanceTales: I do not own Once Upon a Time in anyway shape or form and I give full credit to the creators.
Chapter Twelve: A Step Forward in the Right Direction
"My-My Queen!"
The queen looked up to see one of her knights running into the court. People stared at him, murmuring with such distaste. The queen's face could not be seen for a red veil covered her head. Whispering into her device, the Knave of Hearts spoke her words, "Why have you come forth in such a manner? Surely your lack of formality will cost you your head."
"But my queen!" he gasped, obviously in great pain, "The woman-!"
But the poor knight did not get to finish his sentence for he went rigid as his entire body slowly turned to ice. Some people gasped, exclaiming their horrific thoughts. The queen said nothing as did the Knave for someone distasteful had come into her presence. The intruder walked slowly, her posture straight and graceful like a princess. Her dress was covered by a large white fur and as she walked barefoot, the floor was covered by ice. Looking over at the knight, she flicked her hand and he burst into smithereens.
"Oops," The Snow Queen said, "How tragic."
"What are you doing here Miss?" The Knave spoke the Queens mind, careful to not give the woman in front of him her honorifics. The Snow Queen only smiled and said, "Why, still under the impression that you're the one and only Queen? How terrible sad that your vanity taints your intelligence."
The Queen of Hearts snapped her fingers and guard came at the Snow Queen. Snow Queen merely breathed and froze the knights in their tracks. Snow Queen walked closer saying, "Come now dear, you can't possibly think you can actually beat me with such lousy chess pieces."
Taking in a deep breath, Snow Queen exhaled, spreading her frost around to all the people in the court. Each froze, except for the Queen of Hearts. Smiling more broadly, the Snow Queen said, "There, now it's just the two of us dear."
"What do you want, Morgana?" The Queen of Heart pulled away her veil and said, "You know very well I don't like unwanted visitors."
"And yet you seemed to make an exception for a dear little one," the Snow Queen said, walking around to admire the ice sculptures she had just created, "Alison I think her name was."
"Alice," The Queen said, going rather stiff, "I call her Alice."
"What you call her doesn't make it true," the Snow Queen said, almost coldly, "And I'm telling you her name is Alison. But I digress. I'm not here to talk about your rebellious pet; I'm here to talk about your Mage problem."
"It isn't a problem if I have taken care of it," The Queen of Hearts said and the Snow Queen laughed, chilling the hall. Walking towards the Queen of Hearts, the Snow Queen said, "Don't lie to me, it was only last week that Mage took out the post in the Cheshire Forest. But if you would just bloody listen, you wouldn't have a problem at all."
"And how are you supposed to help?" the Queen of Hearts said with distain, "Our Worlds don't agree with each other, which is why you and I don't get along to begin with."
"Exactly," The Snow Queen said, "The source of Wonderlands power and the source of my power are completely different. No Wonderlander can stand up to my power, not without extensive knowledge on how to use the gases. It is known that the Mage is helping the rebel army, so allow me to work my magic on the field. If I take care of the rebel army, then there should be only one person standing."
"The Mage," The Queen said, staring at Snow Queen intently. Nodding, Snow Queen said, "Your sister, Queen of White, will be unable to do anything about it. Her magic is strong, but not strong enough to protect everyone."
The Queen made a face at the word Queen, but chose not to say anything. Instead she said, "I do not want Alice harmed. How can you possibly make sure she is not so?"
"Alice is not a Wonderlander," the Snow Queen said shortly, "Believe me; my magic won't work as well on her. I promise she will be completely unharmed."
The Snow Queen glanced into the Queen of Hearts eyes saying, "Do we have a deal?"
"Yes, after you answer my question," The Queen of Heart said, "Why are you doing this? You and I don't like each other. Why help me?"
"Let's just say, the Mage and I have some history with each other," The Snow Queen said, "Deal?"
The Queen of Hearts smiled wickedly and said, "Deal."
Mr. Gold stood in his shop flicking on the lighter in his hand. As usual, his shop was rather quiet today. His store was as clean and organized in his own little way. He had no rent to go collect or loan to go check up on. He would have just gone home for the day if it hadn't been for a visit he was very much expecting. Hearing the little bell's go off, he looked up to see Regina walking into the store. Flicking the lighter off, he stood up and walked over to a display case.
"Regina," He greeted with his mask of a smile, "Shall I move some things around and make space for your rage?"
"You found that loop hole into the town charter," Regina said and Mr. Gold said, "Legal papers, contracts, all have been a fascination of mine."
"Yes, you love trifling with technicalities," Regina said, an obviously annoyed look on her face. She walked over to his desk and leaning against it staring around. Touching the glass of the knife case, Mr. Gold said, "I like small weapons you see. The needle, the pen, the fine point of a deal."
He looked over at Regina and said, "Subtlety. Not your style, I know."
She looked fully over at him as he walked to another desk and said coldly, "You're a bastard."
Mr. Gold let out a chuckled and said, "I think your grief is getting the better of you Regina. Shame what happened to Graham."
"Don't you talk about him, you know nothing!" Regina stormed over to him as Mr. Gold said, "What's there to know, he died."
"Are you really going up against me?" Regina said, incredulously. Leaning on the counter, Gold watched an evil smug look come over her face. As much as he wanted to just turn her into a pile of dust, he knew he couldn't; and it had nothing to do with his lack of power either.
"Not directly," Gold said, that know it all smirk back on his face. Regina looked at Gold and said, "Well I think you picked I really slow horse this time. It's not like you to back a loser."
"She hasn't lost yet."
"She will," Regina said, standing up straight. Mr. Gold frowned and warned, "Never underestimate someone acting for their child."
"He's not her child," Regina said, snidely, "Not legally."
"Now who's trifling with technicalities," Mr. Gold said, quite intentionally too. Obviously the queen picked up on it as a look of displeasure took over her face. Her posture straight, Regina looked at him and said, "If you see Autumn, tell her Henry would like to see her."
"Very well," Mr. Gold said, somewhat coolly, "Have a good day, Your Majesty."
Regina stormed out of the store, slamming the door behind her. Wincing, Mr. Gold let out a heavy sigh. It was tiring dealing with her, she was too predictable. Walking back over to his desk, he thought of the person he was meant to give the message to.
He hadn't seen Autumn in the past few weeks. He had gathered from Emma that she and Henry had a rather big falling out. He had considered going to her house, but for some reason was resistive. If the child needed time and space, he would give her such. But he couldn't help but admit to himself that his shop was rather lonely without the little one waltzing in. Letting out a little sigh, he went into the back of his shop gathering some supplies. He had work to do after all.
S.C.
"Emilie! Hurry up and clean up that mess would you?!"
A seventeen-year-old girl felt a towel slap the back of her head as she tried to wash dishes. She was dressed in an old fleece, worn jeans, sneakers, and ratty t-shirt. The man sitting at the table glared at her, holding his flask in hand. Emma. Her name was Emma, regardless of what the stupid home said. The young teen winced as she mumbled, "Yes sir."
"Ungrateful snot," huffed the man as he took a swing, "That's what Erkenziers said about you anyway. Well… I'll snuff that out of you."
Emma would have snorted. He'd drink himself into an early grave before she let him do anything. The man stood up, swaying slightly. Emma tensed as he walked over to her. Leaning over her breathed his heavy, horrid stench breath on her before saying, "Finish that or you'll regret it."
"Emma!"
Emma snapped out of her mini trance. Emma and Mary Margaret were sitting in a booth in the far back. Mary Margaret had been ranting about how unethical and illegal the new article on her juvie record was. Another female voice caught her attention, one that belonged to a familiar waitress.
"Hey Ruby," Emma said as the long haired waitress waltzed over to her. Standing next to her table, Ruby said, "I heard your running up against Sidney Glass for Sheriff! I hope you win."
"Yeah, well, with this new article," Emma muttered almost angrily.
"People will realize what a scumbag the mayor is," Red said firmly, "Your human Emma. Everyone makes mistakes and believe me; people are not as judgmental as you think."
"Thanks," Emma said, allowing a smile to grace her face. Ruby smiled but it faded as she asked, "Hey, have you guys seen Autumn? She hasn't been here in weeks and Granny's getting worried."
"No, I haven't," Mary Margaret said with a sad face, "Henry hasn't exact been himself and he and Autumn aren't exactly on speaking terms.
"Felicity called a while back. She said that it was best that she stay home a while." Emma said sighing.
"Poor kid," Ruby said frowning, "Regina's really screwed with his head and their friendship."
"No kidding," Emma said, gritting her teeth slightly, "Look; I'll tell you if I see her. If we don't see her soon, I'll check up on her at the house."
"Thanks," Ruby said, looking relieved and said, "I wouldn't ask, but I'm getting worried. I know she told me that she would be gone for some time because she had to work on the garden. But this has been the longest she's ever been gone for."
"I understand," Emma said gently. Ruby walked away, towards the kitchen as Emma sighed. Mary Margaret watched her friend as Emma looked out the window. Pursing her lips gently, Mary Margaret said, "I guess she and Henry haven't made up."
"No," Emma said glumly, "Autumn's never really liked Regina to begin with, and Henry's behavior is not helping. I'm guessing now that Henry's no longer there, Autumn doesn't want to deal with anyone."
"I'm not surprised," Mary Margaret said, "I mean Henry knew Autumn before we did, it probably hurts her a lot more."
"Still…," Emma said, "I want to check up on her once this blows over. Even if she is mad at Henry, there is little reason she wouldn't come see Gold. It's just odd…"
"That's probably a good idea," Mary Margaret said, "This is already one big mess."
Emma Swan looked down at the newspaper with grief and worry in her eyes. If Madame Mayor was able to get this piece of information, then... Emma shook her head, her loose blonde curls bouncing gently. Those files were black out, sealed. But then again, these were supposed to be too. Mary Margaret looked at her friend with concern and said, "Emma, is everything okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, everything's fine," Emma said, "Apart from Regina's damn article, which I am going to rectify."
S.C.
Regina was about ready to strangle this blonde nuisance.
She had taken her job, rightfully so. Now she was fighting for it tooth and nail with the help of that imp. It irked her, but she knew it wouldn't matter soon. The article was humiliating enough. No one liked a criminal and Henry was no exception. He would be entirely hers.
"This was a juvie record!"
Regina turned around to see Emma Swan storming in and throwing the newspaper on her desk.
"This records were to be blacked out and sealed! I don't know how you got these, but it is unethical and illegal."
"I'm sorry, did you not want people to know that you cut his umbilical cord with a shiv?" Regina replied blandly.
"I don't care what people know!" Emma said, half snarling half horrified, "But this hurts Henry!"
"Henry is fine," Regina said shortly. She walked passed Emma, who was not about to let her off the hook that easy.
"He's not fine!" Emma snapped, as Regina walked and turned lights off, "He's watching his adoptive mother throw a smear campaign against his birth mother. You don't think that hurts him?!"
"All I did was expose him to the truth," Regina scoffed, "As for the legality, I did nothing wrong."
"So it doesn't bug you that he thinks his mother is the Evil Queen and killed Sheriff Graham," Emma's voice was incredulous and angry.
"I did no such thing!" Regina snarled, turning around to glare Emma down, "It's not my fault you put these thoughts into his head!"
"I didn't do anything! This is coming from his mouth, his heart, his head. I don't want him thinking any of this!" Emma snarled in return, "I don't want him miserable, I didn't want him to throw his friendship away with Autumn and lose all hope but he did! Now both of them are miserable and one of them sat in their room, crying her eyes out!"
Regina sucked in her breath, feeling like she had been punched in the gut. She wanted nothing more than to turn this woman into charcoal. Something froze her, something made her gut twist as she watched Emma heave.
"How do you know she sat crying in her bedroom?" Regina asked.
"Felicity called me the day after they fought two weeks ago, asking why Autumn had locked herself in her room crying," Emma seethed. Regina didn't know how she felt about that. She wasn't sure if she was more upset that the ever-not-present foster mom called Emma instead of her or Henry didn't tell her the details of this problem. Shaking her head, Regina said coldly, "Stay out of my son's personal life. You should be more worried about your new association with Gold."
Regina spun around and walked down the remaining stairs to open the door. Suddenly, an explosion filled her ears and she was blasted back into the stairs. Flames consumed her vision as Regina tried to scramble away. However, the metal trapped her leg. Emma was luckily not so hurt as she hauled Regina to her feet. The world went by her as Emma dragged her out of the town hall. Regina winced as she felt the pain in her foot.
"Ow-OW! Would you be careful?!"
"Really? Are you complaining with how I save your life!?" Emma thundered.
"It's not like we were in any real danger," Regina muttered as the fire fighters came and Regina was taken towards medics. Her own comment didn't even register in her mind as she looked towards the building with narrowed eyes.
This had been no accident.
S.C.
"You started the fire."
Such simple words, simple words that made Mr. Gold chuckle. Rubbing his hand with the rag, he said, "I've been right here Miss. Swan."
"Take a whiff it smells of your sheep crap oil," Emma walked towards him with a brown rag, "Turn's out it's flammable."
"Are you sure," Mr. Gold said, turning to look her in the eye, "There's a load of construction going on at city hall at the moment, there is a lot of flammable liquids and objects."
"Why did you do it?" Emma said, obviously not buying anything he was saying. Sighing, he said, "If I did it, it is because in order to win, you need something big. Like, oh I don't know, being a hero in a fire."
"How did you even know I would be there at right time?" Emma asked incredulously and Mr. Gold said almost irritated, "Maybe Regina's not the only one with eyes and ears or maybe I'm just intuitive... were I involved that is."
"I could have left her there."
"Not the time," Mr. Gold said simply, a smirking growing on his face. Emma shook her head and said, "I can't go along with this."
"You just did," Mr. Gold scoffed, "This is just the price of election Miss. Swan."
"A price I'm not willing to pay," Emma said, throwing the rag on his desk, "Find another sucker."
"Fine, go ahead, expose me. But just think about what you'll be exposing," Mr. Gold taunted purposely as she walked towards the door, "And just who you'll be disappointing."
Emma stopped and looked at him.
"You want to talk disappointment?" Emma said, opening the door so she could leave, "How about you manipulating people and using people when you have a ten-year-old girl that looks up to you more than anyone else."
Emma slammed the door shut as Mr. Gold's smirk turned into a scowl. Of course she would bring that up, this shouldn't surprise him. After all he had taunted her about disappointing her own son. The only difference was Autumn wasn't family.
Walking to the back, Gold turned off the lights after grabbing his coat. Family…what did make someone family? She certainly wasn't of blood, but he wasn't going to lie to himself and say Autumn wasn't important to him. He had made the mistake twice already of trying to push loved ones away, was he really going to try and do that again? It was better if he did. Autumn already knew he wasn't the best role model in the world, and she still stuck by him. But Emma's words rang through his head, stinging him a bit.
Locking up his shop, Gold began his walk to his home. Luckily it wasn't so far away from his shop, which he was grateful for. Especially today, after he had many visitors, both agitated and angry, he was eager to get home. But it was all expected, all planned; and soon Emma would be the new sheriff in town. If only one of those visitors had been the little one he had grown so used to, grown to love. Shaking his head, Gold berated himself. He shouldn't think like that. She had a foster mother, other people in town that were better for her than him. Loving her was just going to make it harder to let her go. Getting up onto his porch, he opened his door and let himself in.
The house was warm, unlike the nippy cold air outside. The weather had been getting cold again. Hanging up his jacket, he noticed the scarf Autumn had left the last time she was here. He hoped that Autumn wasn't outside working too much. It was much too cold to be working outside for long. Sitting down in his chair in his living room, he glanced over at the chipped tea cup. It was sitting on the table next to the violin case. He had been hoping she would stop by again; it was nice to actually have a use for the old violin. It actually had quite a bit of sentimental value, but it was nice that it could have use again.
Sighing, Gold smirked at Emma Swan's noble attitude. It had been expected, but it still amused him all the same. She had her mother's spirit that was for sure. But it was reassuring to see that she was willing to go so far to get Henry to believe again. To him, that was definitely a step in the right direction.
Staring into the darkness outside the window, he couldn't help thinking about the Evil Queen. Not once in all his time he knew Regina did he like her. She was cruel heartless and ignorant. It was like dealing with a child. And honestly it wasn't the child he wanted to be dealing with. But luckily, he wouldn't have to play it safe for much longer. Regina's control was beginning to slip after twenty-eight years and he was enjoying every minute of it.
S.C.
"Henry?"
Henry was laying on his bed, his face clearly depressed. Regina made a guilty expression, unable to stop herself. How could she? She had known Autumn hadn't been in town recently. He knew he wanted to see her but she never bothered to ask the question why. Henry didn't even look at her as Regina said, "Dinner is ready."
"I'm not hungry," Henry said, miserably. Regina pursed her lips before walking over to the bed. Sitting down on it, Regina waited a moment before asking her question.
"What happened between you and Autumn?" Regina asked quietly.
"I don't want to talk about it," Henry said glumly.
"I do," Regina said, "Emma said you had a big fight. Why?"
"Because," Henry said shortly.
"Why?" Regina asked firmly.
"Because you're the Evil Queen and you killed Graham," Henry said heatedly, "And I don't want you to kill her."
"Henry, I did not kill Graham!" Regina tried saying only for Henry to jump up shouting, "Liar! You crushed his heart! I know you did and I won't let you do the same to my friend!"
"Henry-HENRY!" Regina cried as Henry ran from his bedroom and locked himself in the bathroom. Regina tried to open up the bathroom door only to fail. She could hear his sobs in the bathroom, the sound breaking her blackened heart. Leaning against the door, Regina almost cried herself. What a mess she had made. As much as she wanted to blame everyone else, it wasn't going to change that he blamed her. Regina sunk against the door, sitting outside of it. Shaking her head, Regina said desperately, "I'm sorry, Henry. I'm sorry you feel this way. I truly am."
There was no response except for his continued sobbing. Regina looked down weakly as she whispered, "I will make this right… I promise."
S.C.
"Congratulations Emma!" Ruby called after the new Sheriff as the blonde and the short haired school teacher left for home. Smiling softly, Ruby went back inside the diner and called, "Granny? Are you done cleaning up?"
"Yes, I am," Granny said briskly, walking back to the dining part of the restaurant. Tossing her hair back, Ruby walked into the back saying, "I'm just gonna quickly change. I'll be back in a sec."
"Mhm," Granny said, putting some cash into the register and locking the register tight. Turning the lights down, Granny said, "Ruby? Did you talk to Emma?"
"Yes, I did!" Ruby walked back into the room, dressed in a more casual outfit. Ruby continued, leaning against the table saying, "Emma said she would go first thing in the morning to check up on Autumn."
"Good, I'm worried about that child," Granny said, her voice stern but concerned, "She's skinny enough as it is and her mother's not around enough to make sure she's taken care of properly."
"Her mother tries," Ruby protested weakly, as if she didn't really mean what she said, "At least she calls to make sure she's okay."
"I know," Granny said, with a sigh, "But still, better safe than sorry."
"So, how does it feel to be Sheriff?"
Emma looked as Mary Margaret brought over her hot chocolate. They were in the kitchen/dining room, enjoying the warm of the home. Outside, light snow flakes were falling down. Emma took it gratefully and said with a smile and a shrug, "I don't know, ask me a few weeks in when I'm swearing about the long hours."
Mary Margaret laughed and said, "I'm sure you'll be fine. Especially now that Henry is back on board."
Emma smile became more genuine as she said, "I'm just glad to see him smiling again. Now we need to get Autumn and him to make up so everything can get back to somewhat normal."
Mary Margaret smiled but couldn't say anything more for knocking at the door interrupted them. Mary Margaret glanced at the clock and saw that it was eleven o'clock. Frowning, Mary Margaret said getting up, "Who could that be this late?"
Emma groaned as Mary Margaret walked to the door and said, "It's probably Regina coming with more threats. Tell her I'm not here."
Mary Margaret opened the door but it was not Regina. Mary Margaret caught the person as she fell forward coughing violently. Mary Margaret stumbled back, falling to her knee's. Emma was up and out of her seat in a split second. Mary Margaret was cradling the form, trying to get her to sit up. Emma helped her but she almost dropped her hold when she realized what she was looking at. Blood was dripping down her forehead, her lips were blue, and her jacketless body was soaked. But what gave her a worsening sinking feeling was that Emma knew who it was.
"Help," Autumn managed to say, her blue eyes glazed over in pain.
