I Am Emma Swan

Chapter 13

Emma's mind wouldn't settle, now knowing her actual name, knowing that the real Judith could be hurt somewhere or possibly dead and knowing that she is living with two people who are ruthless enough to kidnap and drug her making her believe she was someone else. She needed to get out of there and go to the police. She could tell that both Regina and Henry were upset not knowing where the real Judith was and she felt bad that she was part of it, though it wasn't her fault, she knew that, but she still felt guilty all the same because she was living this other woman's life.

She was hoping Regina and Henry would come back for her but with almost getting caught by Mary Margaret they'll most likely try again tomorrow.

"Geez I hope they come back soon. I really don't want to stay here anymore." Emma mumbled staring at the wardrobe. Since they left, Emma has been unsuccessfully trying to find the release to open the secret way out. She gave up again and sat on the bed, she wasn't tired like she normally was, the drug free food must be helping.

She picked up Regina's book, the book she had given to Judith. She read the inscription, "To Judith, thank you for inspiring me in more ways than I could have ever imagined." She opened the back cover and Regina's picture was staring back at her. Emma smiled thinking about the woman and her son. She was surprised but ever so grateful that Regina believed Henry enough to come here with him, most parents ignore their kids especially with a tale like this. They seemed to be a cohesive unit. It's easy to see how close they are and how much Regina loves her son.

Emma continued to stare at the picture tracing the author's face with her finger. She wasn't sure how long she was lost in thought, but she felt a shiver down her spine and the hairs on her arms stood straight up. The feeling of being watched was back. In one way she wanted to look around to see if she could find someone watching her, yet she didn't want to know either.


Henry started to cry hearing another crash outside, he was afraid for his mom. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and stood up. He was going to go out there and help her. He was about to walk to the door when the handle started to rattle, someone was trying to get inside. Gasping, looking around the bathroom for a place to hide he heard his mom's voice, "Henry, it's Mom, can you unlock the door? It's okay now I promise."

Letting go the breath he didn't realize he was holding, he practically ran to the door and unlocked it, "MOM!" he yelled and hug the brunette as hard as he could. "You're okay, what happened?"

"Yes, I'm okay Sweetheart, everything is fine, it was raccoons there were quite a few of them and they knocked down the garbage cans and I think one was trying to get into the BBQ."

Henry giggled at that, "Did he bring hotdogs to cook?"

Regina hugged her son tighter, "No he didn't the nerve of that raccoon huh?" Then stepped back from the boy but not letting him go, "Are you all right, it was a little scary there for a bit?"

"Yeah, I'm okay, I was on my way to help you, but you came back."

Regina hugged him again, she knew the reason for the scratching and banging noises were the raccoons but the moving light in through the trees at the edge of the property was not. "Why don't you stay with me for the rest of the night, I miss my Henry snuggles."

"Mom, I'm too old for that!"

"Maybe, but I'm not," Regina replied as she swayed them side to side with Henry still in her arms, "humour your old Ma and snuggle tonight."

Henry smiled, "Okay and um, I know it's really late, but I don't think I can sleep yet, can you read my story?"

"Really? You haven't asked for that in a long time."

"Yeah, I've kinda missed it and since you did write it about me and Judy, I'd just like to hear it again."

Regina smiled; she knew he missed and worried about Judith, and the story was about their adventures in Storybrooke. "Okay mister, I'll go make some hot chocolate, I'll be right back."


Watching the owner retreat inside once the raccoons were chased away, Jefferson Hatt continued to watch the house a little longer. He couldn't risk going in now; she may have called someone to check on them. He couldn't believe he was almost caught sneaking towards the house, and he was almost sure she saw his flashlight before he turned it off. "God damned raccoons; this could have been done tonight."


Archie woke up and stared at the ceiling, he felt more tired now then the night before, "I knew I retired for a reason, I'm getting too old for this shit."

He got up, showered and got ready for the day. He left the hotel and stopped at the coffee shop before heading to the law firm. He really wanted his personal phone, he wanted to check in on the Mills' to see if they arrived safely and were doing okay with the house. He was always there to welcome them; he would also make sure he aired out the place and had a maid come into dust and clean. They were a lovely family; the young son was very intelligent for his age, and he got along so well with everyone, he was a welcome sight in the summertime.

Arriving at the office he chatted with the receptionist and picked up a few messages left for him and then he made his way into Jones' office. The lawyer was sitting behind his desk reading a document.

"Hey Killian, how have you been?"

"Good, good, busy of course but good." The man smiled and leaned back in his chair. "OH! I'm in love!"

"Again? How many times is this now? This must be the third one this month alone." Archie quipped as he sat down in front of his old boss.

"Har, har Hopper, THIS one," he smiled as he sighed. "She's a red head, drop dead gorgeous and has legs to die for especially when she wraps…"

"OKAY! I got ya!" Archie interrupted before Jones could continue. "You said you had my phone?"

"Oh yes," Killian opened his desk drawer and pulled out Archie's phone and slid it across the desk.

Archie quickly reached for it and turned it on or at least he tried to. "It's dead dammit. You said it was ringing all the time, didn't you turn it off?"

"Well, no I threw it in my desk and forgot about it, it must've died, sorry." Killian replied with a smirk. "Got a hot chick calling you? Why do you keep two phones anyway? I mean if you had a wife and whatnot, I could see it."

"No, I don't have a hot chick calling me. I'm just concerned about some people back in Storybrooke. I only use the one for work and nothings else, I don't like carrying my personal phone on me during assignments in case someone got a hold of it. Anyway, I should get going, is Glass in today? He said he had a job for me, but I really want to finish this one first, I'm close to finding this woman, I know it."

"No, he's in court today, but I'll let him know you were here and give him your answer. But hey, be careful out there Hopper, I hope this woman you're looking for is at least sexy."

Archie rolled his eyes at his colleague, left the office, and headed back to his hotel room to charge his phone.

It was almost lunchtime when Archie received a call on his work phone, "Hey, Hopper? This is Leroy, listen I found something, and I think it might help you with Swan. I'm at the Lucky Lion now, it's… pretty big and fuckin' scary."

Before Archie could reply, the call ended. "Pretty big? I wonder what that is. He probably just wants more money." Archie said to himself as he powered off his laptop, grabbed his coat and left for the Lucky Lion.

The bar was busier than the prior evening, he saw Leroy and Robin talking at the other end of the bar, he walked up to them and sat down next to Leroy. "So, what do you have for me?"

"It's not good," Leroy replied and slid a newspaper towards the investigator.

"What am I looking at?"

"There, the article about the woman found dead in an abandoned office building in the Back Bay. They found her a while ago but they're still asking for help finding her killer."

"This isn't Emma Swan, is it?" Archie asked looking at a picture of a pretty woman with long blonde hair; he'd only had descriptions of Emma no real picture. Furrowing his brow he began to read the article, the name reported wasn't familiar to him. He looked up at Leroy questioning as to why this is so important.

"NO! It's not Swan, that's the chick with the accent who was with Emma the last time I saw her."


Regina and Henry drove into town to the sheriff's office hoping he could help Emma and arrest the Cassidy's. Regina pulled over across the street from the office and was about to get out of the car when Henry grabbed her arm.

"No Mom! Look!" He shouted then pointed out to two men across the street.

"What Henry? What's wrong?" Regina asked, shocked by Henry's behaviour.

"Look! That's not Sheriff Humbert and the man he's talking to is Mr. Cassidy!"

Regina whipped her head around towards the two men across the street, he was right that sheriff wasn't Graham, she'd never seen either man before but if the other man is one of the abductors, then was the sheriff involved too? She shook her head; this was not one of her novels. A sheriff wouldn't be part of this, would he?

"Are you sure that's the guy, Henry?"

"He wasn't really nice and yeah that's him. What's he doing talking to the new sheriff? Why are there so many new people here? Do you think they're all in on it?"

"I don't know Henry, this is…I don't know what's going on, but let's just wait and see. Keep down in your seat so neither of them can see us."

Neal Cassidy and the sheriff seemed as if they were in a heated discussion. Regina and Henry kept watch but couldn't hear anything even when Regina lowered the window. It was about another five minutes before Neal shook the sheriff's hand and walked down the street to his car then drove away, squealing his tires as he left.

"What should we do?" Henry asked worried that everyone in town was a bad guy.

"Let's go to the diner, I want to ask Ruby about this new sheriff."

When the Mills arrived at the diner, Henry was about to sit in his favourite booth, but Regina suggested the one in the back away from the windows. She knew she was overreacting, but she wanted Henry safe.

Ruby walked over to them and smiled, "Hey guys are you here for something to eat?"

"Hi Ruby, nothing to eat for me but I'll have a coffee." Regina told her then looked to Henry.

"A chocolate milkshake please Ruby."

"Comin' right up!"

When Ruby returned with their order, Regina gestured for her to sit down. "I noticed we have a new sheriff; do you know anything about him?"

"He's hot for sure," Ruby began, "August Booth, he's been here a few months now, he thinks a lot of himself, and he also thinks he's a cowboy or something always sayin', hi there little lady and tipping his hat." Ruby continued rolling her eyes.

"We saw him a few minutes ago talking with Neal Cassidy it looked a little heated."

"Oh yeah, Booth was here for his coffee and Neal came in looking for him and he looked pissed. He didn't let the sheriff take his coffee to go or anything."

"You didn't hear what the problem was did you?"

"No, it was busy in here, sorry. Why, what's going on?"

"Nothing really, I just didn't know Graham had left. Was there a reason?"

"Yeah, he said he was tired of the life here and left to go travel and hike around the world or something crazy."

"I see, well, is it all right for Henry to stay a little bit I have an errand to run but I won't be long."

"Mom?"

"It's all right Henry. I just need to speak with someone, and I'll be right back." Regina then leaned over to whisper in his ear, "I want to speak with the sheriff alone, okay? Just in case."

Henry nodded then proceeded to drink his milkshake and started chatting with Ruby hoping his mom would be okay.