A/N: Chapter by chapter, this story is nearing it's end. No, this is not the end yet. So don't get confused on me lol there are still (if I were to take a wile stab at it) possibly two, maybe three more chapters before this story is complete. Depending on the direction I go with things. BUT, if you think the ending of this chapter is filled with tension, wait for the next one. ;) Happy reading, my lovely readers and thank you as always for your grand patience on waiting for an update. Happy weekend!


They sat outside, prepared onto the ledge that covered plants along the outside of the hospital. That was still hospital grounds. After that coming panic attack, Regina could use a breather. And she let Emma in on everything about her father's surprising murder.

Emma was beside herself, and for the first time in her life, she didn't know what to say.

"I always knew my mother was cold hearted, I just never imagined exactly how much." Regina murmured, her head leaning against Emma's shoulder.

Emma's arm pulled Regina tight. "I can't believe it."

"I couldn't either." Regina goes quiet for a minute. "To think, my mother, who's supposed to love me… Protect me… Got rid of my father for money because he tried to do the right thing. While she didn't even care to hand me over to a man who is just as conniving." Her jaw sets.

"I'm so sorry you had to find out this way, Gina." Said Emma, pulling the brunette closer.

Regina's eyes glossed over, shedding a single tear. "How could Sidney keep something that horrific from me, Emma? He was supposed to be someone I could trust."

"He is." Emma turned to Regina, locking eyes with her and taking a hand into hers. "He's always been there for you, since day one. That hasn't changed now just because he decided to finally let you in on a long kept secret. Sidney loves you, Regina. Don't give him the cold shoulder now."

"You're right. I just don't know how much more I could take. If anyone else got hurt because of me, if- if you got hurt…" Regina holds onto Emma's hand a little more, giving it a squeeze.

"I already told you. Nothing's going to happen to me." Emma cupped the brunette's cheek. "I'm here. Aren't I?"

"Maybe you shouldn't be." Regina's eyes dart right through Emma's, a deep frown to her. "Maybe… Maybe this was all wrong, since the beginning. Maybe this is happening because we really shouldn't love each other. Maybe I should go back to him and this would all be over-"

"Regina. Hey." Emma shakes her head, a crease in between her brow. Her hand along her cheek is holding her closer. "Stop. Just stop, okay?"

"Emma, your mother is in the hospital because of me, because we love each other. Belle is-"

"And they'll be fine." Emma wipes away a fallen tear from Regina's cheek. "They are going to pull through this."

"Leopold won't stop there-"

"Then let him keep trying. It doesn't mean he'll succeed. Right?" Emma's eyes gloss over this time as she holds back those tears. She feels Regina's warm hand along her cheek. "Going back to him would only mean misery for you, and for me, because Regina, I can't function without you. Not when everyday I find myself falling more and more in love with you."

Regina sobs out a chuckle, "Why do you have to say sweet things now? You know that it only makes me love you more."

"That's kind of the point. My goal is to make you love me so much, it'll break your heart if you were to ever leave me." Emma smiles, and places a kiss along Regina's forehead.

"I wish I could have met you under better circumstances. Where we didn't have to worry about watching our backs every minute of the day." Said Regina.

"We both knew this would be tricky. But every dark tunnel has a shed of light." Emma squeezes the brunette's hand, placing a kiss along her knuckles. "We'll get there."

"Hey, there you two are!" August startles them both as they slide off the edge to stand. "Come on. The doc wants to talk to us."

Both Emma and Regina follow him back inside the hospital, where they see Whale, and Sidney standing near a corner.

"What's the verdict, doc?" Emma asked.

"How's Belle and Mary Margaret?" Regina asked.

Victor's eyes observe all three of them, ending with Sidney's before he smiles. "They're both going to be fine." He hears them say with the same amount of relief he feels. "They are a little banged up, but nothing's broken. I checked them both, talked to them. They don't seem to have suffered a concussion, which is miraculous, if you ask me. But, they'll be sore, it might last a couple of weeks, but it's nothing that won't disappear."

"Can we see them?" Regina asked.

"Only for a little bit, I gave them both something to take their mind off their aching muscles, so," Victor checks his watch. "You have about ten minutes before it starts taking effect."

August breathes with relief.

"Emma, you should go with your mom. I'm sure she'll want to see you." Regina nods.

"You both should." Said August. "I can go with Belle, and later on we'll switch. Vice, versa."

"That sounds good," Emma claps August along the back. "Doc," She shakes Victor's hand. "I'm in your debt. Really, if there is ever anything you need."

Victor smiles. "It's my pleasure. You should call your father, your mom's been asking about him."

"I'll call him," Regina places her hand along Emma's arm. "You go see her." She nods.

Emma pulls Victor in, taking him by surprise as he's hugging her back before Emma follows the hallway that would lead her into her mother's room, along with August.

Regina smiles, turning her attention to Victor. "Thank you, Victor. I know how much trouble I've placed you in, you and…" Her eyes move to Sidney. "And Sidney. Making you both come here."

"That doesn't matter." Victor smiled. "I'd say that for a while now, we've all been in hot water with Leopold." He sees Regina smile a little. A smile filled with worry.

"Robert?" Regina's brow creases as she sees him coming, his trench coat flopping along.

"Where's Belle?" He asked.

"How did you know she was-?"

"Luckily I'm still her emergency contact number in case something like this ever happened. I was contacted, and here I am." Said Robert, holding onto a bouquet of flowers. "Is- is she alright? What happened?" His eyes moved to Victor.

"She's fine. She had a little car accident but nothing she won't be walking away from sometime soon. In fact, if they have a good night tonight, I say both her and Mary Margaret are free to go home tomorrow." Victor smiles at Regina, who smiles back.

"That's wonderful news. David and Emma will love to hear that. So will Mary Margaret." Said Regina.

"Can I see her?" Asked Robert.

Both Regina and Victor remain silent for a short minute before Regina nods.

"I'll show you where her room is." Said Regina, walking along with Robert before excusing herself with Victor.


Emma sat next to her mother's bed, holding her hand and placing kisses along her knuckles, with tears in her eyes, while Mary Margaret wiped them away.

"I'm okay, Emma. Strong as steel, remember?" She chuckles along with Emma.

"Yeah. Yeah, you have to be. You married David." Said Emma, hearing another chuckle escape her mother. Her eyes took in the sight of her bruised cheek, which had a butterfly bandage over it, and a few minor bruises along her hand.

"Belle? How's Belle, is she alright?" Mary Margaret asked with alarm.

"She's fine." Emma nods, holding onto her mother's hands a little together, but carefully. "August is with her."

"Thank God." Mary Margaret breathed, her chest falling.

"Do you remember anything prior to the accident?" Emma asked.

Mary Margaret thinks back a little, shaking her head. "No. We were just driving to the grocery store and I tried stopping at a red light and I couldn't. Last thing I remember is I was honking, trying to avoid hitting others, before I ran into a tree."

Emma's jaw sets. The picture she and Regina stumbled on playing inside of her mind, filling her with anger.

"Has David… Has he found out anything?" Her mother asked.

Emma could tell her, but she didn't want to worry her ahead of time. Not without proof that Leopold was responsible. Or if David told her otherwise. So, Emma said, "It's best you let David tell you. He's at the station right now trying to find things out."

Mary Margaret sighed, "He must have been so worried, and you, too."

"We all were. No one would tell us anything around here. Luckily Regina knows a good doctor who helped. He's been a good friend. I owe him a lot, actually."

Her mother smiled, "He seems kind. Definitely passionate about his career."

"He is." Emma smiled. "He's a good one. He's been there for Regina for a long time."

"At least she's had two good friends in the midst of all of her suffering." Mary Margaret looks up at the ceiling and a tear rolls down out of the corner of her eye to her temple.

"Mom. Why are you crying? Everything's alright now." Said Emma.

"Pay no attention." Her mother shakes her head. "Memories resurfaced is all. Regina sure has been tough."

"Yeah," Emma murmured. "You have no idea just how tough."

"I can imagine." Mary Margaret paused. "Did I ever tell you… That your father- James," she corrects herself. She hadn't referred to that man as Emma's father since she married David. "He tried contacting me from prison. Not too long ago."

Emma's face turns to stone. "How long is 'not too long ago'?" She asked.

"Don't overwork yourself, Emma." Said her mother, squeezing her daughter's hand.

"Mom-"

"Emma." Mary Margaret's voice was firm. "David answered the phone. He talked to him."

Emma's face fell, her lips parting. "David talked to James?" She sees her mother nod. "About what? What did he want? In all these years he never tried contacting us, not after what I did to him."

Mary Margaret chuckled lightly, "Well, that coma you placed him in must've given him a conscience."

Emma scoffed, "I doubt that."

"He asked about you." Said Mary Margaret, looking into her daughter's eyes. "He wanted to speak with you, but you weren't home. He asked if you were still into photography." She pauses. "He wanted to know if… If you could visit him sometime."

Emma's brow frowns quizzically as she quickly shakes her head. "No. No, I- I don't think that's a good idea, mom."

"David told him you'd say that." Mary Margaret's hand cupped along her daughter's cheek. "Just know that whatever decision you make, I support and so does David. I'm sure James understands, too."

Emma doesn't say anything else, instead she just lays her head along her mother's stomach, gently and feels Mary Margaret's hands run along her hair like they did when she was a little girl.


Belle held onto a single rose, given to her by August while they both shared a few peppered kisses before August was sitting back in his seat.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I'm sorry it took me a while to get here, you know how my father is." He said, seeing a smile on Belle that he thought he would not see again.

"But, you're here," Belle runs a hand along his smooth hair. "That's what matters now."

"The doc said that if you and Mrs. N have a good night, there's a chance he'll release you tomorrow. Which, you are staying with me." Said August, jumping right in after Belle almost opened her mouth to protest. "No if's, and's or but's. I've decided I'm going to take care of you until you are nursed back to health."

Belle smiled. A smile that shifted August's eyes away from the slight bruises on her face. "Well, given that I don't have much of a choice," Belle chuckled, seeing August grin. "How is Mary Margaret?"

"From what the doctor said, she's stable. I have yet to see her, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow. I"m sure, soon she'll be loopy from whatever it is Dr. Whale gave her." Said August.

"That'll take our minds off this place." Belle chuckled. She goes quiet for a minute before she says, "August, I want to talk to you about something. It's been on my mind for quite a while now and after this accident, I think it's the right time to talk about it."

"What is it?" August tilted his head quizzically.

Belle draws in a breath, letting it out slowly. "August… I want-" Her eyes move toward the door as they hear a knock, followed by Robert and Regina entering her room. "Robert? What are you doing here?"

August's face falls as he stands from his chair.

"I heard what happened. I got a call from the hospital. I'm still placed as your emergency contact, remember?" Said Robert.

"Right." Belle breathed, groaning in pain.

Robert's eyes fall on August as he nods. "Mr. Booth."

August nods.

Robert holds out the bouquet of roses, "I brought you these. There's nothing like a bouquet of flowers to make someone feel better." He smiles and places them aside.

"Thank you." Said Belle with a small smile.

"If I may, Belle. I would like a moment alone, to talk." He turns to Regina. "If it's not too much trouble."

Regina and August look to Belle, who then nods. "It's fine. We do need to talk. But just for a moment, I'm afraid I'm starting to feel the effects of whatever it is I was given earlier."

"August, some coffee?" Regina nods, holding the door open.

August looks toward Robert. "Yeah." He then turns to Belle and bends down to place a kiss along her forehead. "I'll be right back. I don't plan on leaving you alone tonight."

Bella smiles, reaching for his hand and releasing it as he walks away.

Robert's eyes follow August as he walks toward the door, and once it closes, he joins Belle by sitting in the now empty seat next to her bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked her.

"Better now that this medicine has been kicking in." Said Belle, taking in Robert's appearance. "You look like you've lost a little weight."

"Maybe, I have. I don't really keep track of that these days." Robert smiled a little, hearing a chuckle escape Belle.

"What, that supermodel doesn't feed you?" Asked Belle.

Robert's face falls. "Belle, about that-"

"No. I don't wish to get into that discussion again, Robert. What happened, happened." Belle's eyes lock onto Robert's. "I just wish you weren't so hard headed to accept that it's over between us after what you did. Then again, that doesn't surprise me. You've always been hard headed." Belle chuckles.

Robert smiles. "Yeah, that's me." He pauses. "Is it because of…?" He nods toward the door.

"August." Said Belle.

"Belle." Robert shook his head. "I understand that what I did is unforgivable. And even though you won't believe it, it was a one time thing. But you can't admit that what we lived together wasn't great."

"It was." Belle replied, looking into Robert's eyes. "I never denied that. You gave me everything that I could possibly want. And I will always be grateful for that. You will always have a special place in my heart." Her hand reaches out to his. And Robert notices her wedding band was no longer on her finger. "But my life is here now. With Regina. Emma. August."

"You must really like him. He seems to like you. A lot." Said Robert. "You were always quite likable, always knew how to charm." He gave her a sad smile.

That was something Robert would always tell her during their marriage. And it always made Belle smile. Just like now.

"I never thought you would go for his type." Robert chuckled, hearing a chuckle escape Belle.

"Years married, and there was still so much you needed to learn about me." Said Belle.

"Belle," Robert cupped Belle's hand in both of his. "If ever kept you too close. If I ever… Neglected you at some point in our marriage, it wasn't because I didn't want to be with you."

"Your work consumes you. I knew that when I married you, and I was fine with it. You always made it up to me by taking me on trips around the world."

"Yes, but I should have let you live more. I should have… I shouldn't have let it consume me and I'm sorry." Robert held back tears, because he was never one to cry in front of her. "And I continue to want to keep you, even when you've made it clear that you have your own life. A life you clearly love and want to be in." He digs his hand inside of his coat pocket, reaching and pulling out a stack of papers folded in half. Followed by a pen. "And well, who am I to keep you from that, when that's what you want?"

Belle watches him sign along a dotted bottom line, followed by the one on the next page, and a third page. She watches as he places down the divorce papers right next to her.

"This doesn't mean I don't love you." Said Robert. "You will always hold a special place in my heart as well." He smiles.

"Thank you, Robert." Said Belle, seeing him lean in and place one last kiss on her lips. "Will you be okay?"

"Oh, sure." Robert replies once he stands up right. "I have a closing deal approaching with a new company. In Houston."

"Houston?" Belle's brows hit her hairline. "So, you wouldn't be working with Leopold White any longer?"

"That's correct." Robert sits in his chair, tucking his pen into his pocket. "Frankly, I've stopped supporting how he does business for years. The man knows no boundaries."

Belle chuckles, "Tell me about it. I hope they catch him soon, that way Regina can be rid of him for good."

"Rid of him?" Robert's brow creases.

"He's been terrorizing her. And Emma. He burned down the Orchard, the only place Regina had to get away from anything. He had her horses killed."

"What? Are you certain of this?" Robert asked.

"Yes." Belle nods. "Sadly we have no proof, but Emma's father has been looking into it. It seems he has someone else getting his hands dirty for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one behind my accident along with Emma's mother."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because we were fine, until we reached a red light and Mary Margaret tried to brake but she couldn't. No matter how hard she pressed down on the brake pedal, the car wouldn't stop. And I know for certain that car was running in top shape."

Robert's face turns to stone as he stands and buttons up his coat. "Excuse me, Belle, but I have to get going. I just remembered there was something important I had to do." He smiles. "But, I do hope to hear from you again. You can call me anytime, email, fax, anything."

Belle smiles. "I will definitely do that. You do the same. Especially once you're settled in Houston."

"Of course, I will. You'll have to come visit me. You and… August."

"I'd like that." Belle waved. "Good luck, Robert."

Robert kissed the inside of his fingers and waved his hand toward her before he walked out of the door.

Belle sighed with relief and closed her eyes but not before glancing down at the signed divorced papers before her.

Robert walked down the hallway when he spotted Emma, who walked past him. "Ms. Swan." He called to her, seeing Emma turn back around.

"Can I help you?" Asked Emma, a bit on guard.

"Robert Gold," He held out his hand which Emma shook. "I'm Belle's uh- was Belle's husband's."

"Oh, right." Emma nodded.

"I want to say how sorry I am about your mother's unfortunate accident. I surely hope she has a speedy recovery. I hear good news."

"Thank you." Emma could see the sincerity in his eyes. Not that she spent so much time with the man to know that he couldn't be. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go find Regina."

"I believe they went to the cafeteria. Her and Mr. Booth."

"It was good seeing you again, Mr. Gold." Emma began going on her way.

"Oh, Ms. Swan." He called out again, seeing her turn again. "If I may," he reaches for his cellphone. "Is your father around?" He sees a crease form along Emma's brow. "Belle told me he is a police officer and, well, I would very much like to speak with him."

"He should be here shortly, if you'd like to wait for him. He's probably at the station right now-"

"No need. I'll go to him." Robert smiled. "Thank you. Excuse me."

Emma's eyes followed him before turning back again and seeing Regina and August walking down the hall with cups of coffee in their hands.

"Hey," August nodded toward Robert. "What did he say?"

"Not much. Just that he was sorry to hear about my mom and that he wished to speak to David." Said Emma.

"To David?" Regina's brow furrowed, seeing Emma nod.

"How's your mom?" Asked August.

"Fine. She fell asleep. We had a long talk." Said Emma.

"Guess I'll see her tomorrow. I'm going to go check on Belle. Even if she's sleeping, too, I'd like to be there when she wakes up." August went on his way, feeling a clap along the back given to him by Emma.

Regina turns to Emma and hands her the second cup of coffee she held in her other hand. "I got you a coffee. Figured I owed you one after you had to throw away your other to come to my rescue earlier."

Emma smiled and reached for the coffee. "Thanks." She took a sip, her eyes on Regina. "How are you doing? Feeling better?"

Regina sighed, "Emma… I don't think I'll ever be a hundred percent better until Leopold is brought down. Or is dead." She feels Emma's arm cradle her along her waist as they walk along the hallway. Her lips placed a kiss along the brunette's temple.


David placed a hot cup of coffee along a steel table inside the interrogation room of the station, "Hello, Audrey." He says, making his way around the table while Graham shuts the door to the room as David sits before Audrey. The chair screeched along the floor as he pulled it out. His leg was killing him right now, signs of rain coming soon, but that wasn't going to stop him until he had Leopold White or whoever was responsible sitting before him. "Let's talk."

"About what? It's almost two in the morning, Sheriff. You know I have a test I need to-"

"I don't give a shit about that when my wife is lying in a hospital bed because of your father." David keeps his composure, his eyes never straying from Audrey, seeing the quizzical look in her eye. "Don't tell me you didn't know."

"Know what?" Audrey asked.

David opens up a folder and places photographs taken of the car's brake lines. "This is my wife's car. It would appear that the brake lines had been cut. Now, you know my wife, Audrey. Who would ever want to hurt her without reason?" He places down the picture that Emma and Regina found in Belle's apartment, wrinkled up from the creases. "This picture was found by Emma and your mother. They were attacked earlier tonight. A brick had been tossed into your mother's bedroom window."

Audrey looks into David's eyes after glancing down at the picture and says nothing.

David places down the next picture of Emma and Regina almost lying in bed, minutes after the brick busted through their window. He watches Audrey's expression harden with anger before she turns away, taking a sip of the coffee that had been placed before her. "Now whoever was out there, watching my wife, was clearly watching my daughter and your mother. These pictures prove it." He sits back. "Funny thing, Emma mentioned she saw you there. That you drove away as soon as she started chasing down."

Audrey's eyes meet David's once again.

"My question is: What were you doing there?" David waits, getting no answer. "Do you typically make it a habit of stalking people? Taking a few pictures for your father maybe? Is that what you were doing?"

"Of course not." Audrey finally answered with a snarl to her.

"Then what were you doing late at night, watching your mother and Emma?" David asked, watching Audrey take another sip of coffee. "Audrey." He massages his leg a little as he leans in. "I know that Emma leaving you was devastating for you. I know that you've been angry at your mother after you found out the truth about their relationship. I've bared witness to your outbursts against my daughter."

"That doesn't make me a stalker, Sheriff." Said Audrey.

"Maybe not. Then, again maybe it does." David sits back. "But your anger toward your mother for stealing Emma away from you," he sees her eyes find his again upon using the word 'stealing.' "That has made you act in certain ways, hasn't it?"

"Nothing a jealous ex-girlfriend wouldn't do when she's still in love with your daughter, Sheriff."

The corner of David's lip tilts in a small smile. "No, you're right. Just like an ex would also deem it right to sleep with her mother's best friend, I suppose." He sees a quizzical look manifest in Audrey's eyes again before he lifts up the corner to a page and reads, "A Mr. Daniel Colter. Is that right?" He lets the pages drop. "You grew up with him, didn't you? You've known each other a long time."

"That's right." Said Audrey with a nod. "But who I sleep with is my business."

"Sure," David shrugs. "We all have a private life here. I do. Emma does. Even Graham here." He motions to Graham, who's as still as a statue by the door. "Mr. Colter mentioned to us that you asked him certain questions about your father." He watched her. "What kind of questions?"

Audrey took another sip before she said, "I found out from Emma that the Orchard burned down. She thinks my father is behind it, which to my known fact, nothing has been proven. Has it?"

"Sadly no. But Emma wouldn't lie about something like that."

"With all due respect, Sheriff. She's your daughter. But if Emma lied to me about seeing my mother, I wonder what else she could have lied about. As for that brick to her window, it looks like someone else is trying to sabotage what her and mother have. It's not me. I wasn't too happy when I found out about them, that's true, but no matter how desperate I seemed, I don't stoop to those lengths, Sheriff." She sees David's face turn to stone. "Or what? You're going to blame me for cutting the brake lines of your wife's car, too? Maybe you should look into another ex-girlfriend Emma might've had-"

David slammed his hands on the table, startling Audrey. His body hunched over, almost towering her. "Then tell me what you were doing parked outside of Belle's and your mother's apartment while she was with Emma! And don't you dare lie to me. My patience is running thin tonight."

Audrey looks into David's dark/angry eyes.

"You know what's strange about all this?" David asked, leaning in more. "That, I think you do know who threw that brick into their window. You saw something while you were there, when you were most likely going to talk to your mother. Or maybe you were watching my daughter with no evil intent but you were still watching them together. Because that just kills you, doesn't it? The fact that your mother was able to escape your father and found a bit of happiness with my daughter. So tell me, Audrey," he watches anger take over her face. "I wonder how your father feels. From what I gather he is a very powerful man. He's in Paris, isn't it?"

"To my knowledge, yes." Said Audrey. "I haven't seen him."

"Oh, you haven't?" David's head tilts as he walks toward Graham, who hands him a stack of photos. Photos of Emma and her mother that become all too familiar to Audrey as they are spread before her. "Then, I suppose you've become quite the photographer overnight, huh?"

"Where did you get those?" Audrey asked, her eyes looking up to David in anger as she stood. "Did you go into my dorm room? What gives you the right to go in there without a warrant-?"

David leans in more, startling Audrey once again. "The right that I know your father is behind my wife's accident! That's my right! The right that he is having you or someone else do his dirty work, burning down your mother's place, putting her and my daughter in danger! That's my right!" His chest is heaving as he sits back down, watching Audrey do the same. "I talked to the school, went in with a warrant and they had no problem in allowing me to search your room. These photographs have your fingerprints and your father's all over them."

Audrey remains quiet.

"When did you see your father, Audrey?" David asked. "What were you doing outside of your mother's apartment complex so late at night?" He waits, getting no answer. "Alright. Have it your way." He stands, collecting all of the photos inside the folder and picking it up. "Just know that by not cooperating, you are by all means helping your father in whatever else he has planned for your mother. Not to mention my daughter." He moves behind her, leaning in to whisper near her ear. "You may be a jealous ex-girlfriend, Audrey, but you aren't like him. I saw the bruises on your mother. No one who does that deserves to get away with it for so long. Now, you may be angry with her but deep down she's your mother. Someone who always protected you from him. If you want to keep covering him, then that's on you. But I ask you. What makes you any different from him?"

Graham opens the door, taking the folder from David as he begins to walk out-

"Wait." Says Audrey, seeing David turn back and re-enter the room with Graham, who shuts the door.

Audrey's eyes lock on David's as she says, "I did see my father prior to this incident with Emma and my mother. He called me, informing me that he would be back in Boston for just a day and then fly back to Paris. He said he wanted to see me come morning."

"And then?" David sits and waits.

Audrey sighs, "That's when he showed me those pictures. He began telling me how my mother had left him, that she took some clothes out of the house to go with Emma. He was crying, and going on about how my mother and Emma made a fool of us both. How sick it was that they were together."

"And he didn't once say who took those pictures for him?" David asked.

Audrey shook her head. "No. Truth be told I- I didn't ask. I was so angry after seeing them." She paused. "That's how I found out about my mother seeing Emma, it was through him. Not to mention the video."

"Video?" David turned to Graham, who's brows creased before he looked at Audrey again. "What video?"

Audrey freezes and her throat shuts.

"Audrey! What video?!" David shouts, startling her.

"It seems my father had somehow set up cameras inside of the home that once was at the Orchard. And in the video…" She stopped, taking a sip of her coffee, needing something to moist her throat.

"What? What happened in the video?" David encouraged her.

Audrey swallows down the gulp of coffee along with a sting of jealousy over the video replaying in her mind. "It was Emma and my mother. They were…" She sighed, not turning back now. "They were having sex. He watched them, and made me watch."

David's face pale's as does Graham's, but then turns to stone. "Do you have a copy of this video?"

Audrey shakes her head. "Unfortunately not. But I know he keeps it in his laptop. It's probably still there. My father isn't exactly the kind of man to erase files too quickly."

David turns to Graham, "Get me Ruby. If anyone knows her way around a computer, it's her. Now!"

Graham pulls the door open and runs out of the room, leaving the door ajar.

"Thank you, Audrey. This helps us out a lot. There's just one more thing I need you to do for me, and you are free to go." David pulls out Audrey's cell phone as it had been taken from her as she was brought in for questioning. "Call him."

"I thought you had my father's phone number. My mother should have provided you with that information." Said Audrey.

"And I've called him. Countless times, but he refuses to answer his phone." David explained. "But if he sees it's you calling, there's no doubt he will pick up on the first ring." David watches Audrey reach for her phone with a gram of hesitance at first. "Now, here's what you're going to say-"

"No need, Sheriff. I know exactly what I have to say." Said Audrey, scrolling through her contacts and tapping along her father's name.

Audrey wasn't the bad guy. Even if she did see herself as such after the hell she had put Emma and her mother through. Yes, she was still holding a bit of a grudge, but come next week, she would be done with her program at school and far away from Boston or Portland or anywhere else. Off to start a new life, hoping to find forgiveness in her heart for Emma and her mother someday. And it wasn't until she sat here with an angry David, unlike she had never seen him that she realized the type of man her father really was.

"Audrey?" She heard her father's voice come through after one ring.

"Hi, dad." Audrey put on her best tone of voice. "Listen, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but," her eyes look to David's. "I'm in a bit of a pickle and I need you to come bail me out." She lied very convincingly, it surprised David.

"Bail you out? Audrey-"

"Please, dad. After everything that's happened with Emma and mom, she's the last person I want to see right now. I only have you now. Please." She pleaded, hearing a minute of silence before-

"I'll be there as fast as I can. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Possibly until the afternoon."

"That's fine. I'll wait."

"What did you do, Audrey?"

"Oh, I just… I might've drank a little too much and created havoc, that's all." Audrey chuckled. "It was stupid, really. You know, it's all because of Emma and mom's affair." She watches David watch her put on her best act. "Turns out you were right. They made a fool out of us, and… Dad, please come. I just want to get out of here and fly off to Paris with you. Start a new life. Can we do that?"

Another minute of silence before, she heard, "Of course. Of course we can, Audrey. I have some things I need to take care of here first, but I'll be on a flight back as soon as I can."

"I'll see you here tomorrow." Audrey hangs up, placing her phone back on the table. There's silence between her and David before she says, "I might've been a jealous ex-girlfriend, Sheriff. But a stalker isn't one of them." David can see she speaks the truth. "I made mistakes, and I can admit them. But I wasn't the one who attacked Emma or my mother." Her eyes tear up but she refuses to shed any tears in front of the sheriff. "I saw who did it. Who was there that night, outside of my mother's apartment. I didn't see a face, but the reason I sped off that night as soon as Emma came out running was because I was following him. He got away, but," Audrey reached inside of her jeans pockets, placing down a piece of paper with a license plate number written down on it. "I got the license plate number."

David glances down at the paper and reaches for it. His eyes on Audrey as he nods, seeing her nod in return. "You did well, Audrey. Thank you."

"I did love Emma, you know. I do." She pauses. "Fact is I still need time to process everything, but I never lied about my feelings toward her."

"I know." David nodded once again and stood, allowing Audrey to walk out as they met up with Graham. "Graham here will take you back to your dorm. Make sure you get there safely."

Audrey extends his hand and David shakes it.

"Oh, uh," Graham remains back, seeing Audrey stop at the front doors of the station to wait for him. "There's a Robert Gold here to see you. I told him he could wait in your office. He says it's about Leopold White."

"Thank you." David claps him along the arm. "Make sure she gets back safely."

"Will do, sir. And Ruby is at your service whenever you need her."

"Good man." David hurries back inside, turning into his office, where he sees Robert stand from one of the chairs. "Mr. Gold. I'm Sheriff Nolan." He shakes the man's hand. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's quite alright, Sheriff." Robert smiled, watching David make his way around his desk.

"Please, have a seat." David motions toward the chair he was just occupying, sitting down in his chair as he says, "I was told you were here to talk about Leopold White. He seems to be becoming pretty popular around my station lately."

Robert chuckled, "He was always a popular man. Good head for business."

"I can imagine so." David's lips were grim.

"I realize the time Sheriff, but I hope you don't mind me stopping by. I was just at the hospital visiting my ex-wife and I ran into your daughter. Ms. Swan. She told me about the unfortunate incident Belle and your wife suffered, I'm sorry."

"Thank you." David nodded. "I still don't see what this has to do with Leopold White, Mr. Gold."

"Allow me," Robert raised his hand, slowly placing it inside of his coat pocket.

David's hand moved over to his hip, holding his gun which was placed into its holster. A habit hard to break, given his PTSD that was left from his years in the military service. But as soon as he saw Robert pull out a disc, strapped into a clear case, he removed his hand from his weapon. "What's that?" He asked.

"This," Robert placed the CD before him. "Is only some of all of the companies Leopold White has brought down over the years. Companies that refused to work with him. He doesn't know I kept a copy of them, because I don't think it ever crossed his mind that I would betray him this way. Nor that I knew anything about it. But Leopold trusted one person around his company, and that was me. You'll find plenty of evidence of extortion, kidnapping against family members of those that refused to work with him, names of everyone he tried doing business with, telephone numbers, addresses, anything. Blackmail included."

David reached for the CD and studied it. It was blank from the outside, no label, no anything. Just a plain CD. His eyes look up to Robert. "Why are you doing this? What is it you want in exchange, Mr. Gold?"

Robert smiles. "I want Leopold to watch everything he built crumble around him. And if he's brought in, arrested and charged, I will be here giving my statement." He frowns. "He tried to hurt Belle. Didn't even care to respect that she was once my wife. And that is something I don't deal with easy. And from the looks of it, neither do you, Sheriff. After all, family is family."

David nods, a tiny smirk tilting at the corner of his lip.


A/N: No, Leopold's capture won't be that easy. He will put up a fight, and there will be one last showdown between him, Regina and Emma.

And if there any Rumbelle fans, sorry, but I wanted to go a different direction with Belle's fate in this story. I've always wanted to see her with someone other than Gold in a story, so I thought why not? We author's can write what we desire for those who enjoy it. :)

And no, David does not have a twin named James in this story. I just used that name to fill in the existence of Emma's father.