I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
4: Right on a Tilt
Emma decided to give D'Artagnan a chance. She wanted to show Regina she trusted her, like she should have in Neverland, like she should have at the dock. I should've been with her when she found her house burned to the fucking ground. Besides, D'Artagnan seemed cool, even though there was something about her that scratched just under Emma's skin.
"So, when do I start?" D'Artagnan asked, sitting across the desk from Emma. It was the cleanest spot in the station.
"Right now. Immediately. Yesterday would've been even better," Emma replied, blowing out a breath. When she came in that morning to find the place like a tornado went through it, she called Ruby to ask what happened. Ruby only said there were mobs out while they were gone, Emma could have done with a far more expansive answer. She wanted to catch the clowns who ruined the place.
D'Artagnan chuckled. "You sure you want to do this? Isn't your dad like your other deputy?"
Emma shrugged. "I'm the sheriff." Her opinion did not matter to him, so why should his opinion matter to her? He had discarded her too many times and pushed her away too many times. No more trying to please that man.
D'Artagnan nodded and David chose that moment to appear, as if summoned by his name. He was almost two hours late and did not look remorseful in the slightest. Emma would not bring it up, but he had the nerve to look surprised there were people here.
He chuckled and waved. "Good morning."
"Hey, Dad. Meet our newest deputy…" Emma motioned to D'Artagnan.
D'Artagnan rose to her feet and offered her hand. "D'Artagnan."
"Hi, I'm—" David stopped mid-introduction and pulled his hand back. "Did you say D'Artagnan?"
"Yes, Charlotte D'Artagnan. I take it you've heard of me." She smirked. Emma tried to hide her own smirk as David scowled. Just seeing him upset made this hire worth it.
He turned to Emma with a hard look, pointing to the one way glass. "Emma, can I talk to you in private?"
Well, that was rude. Emma glanced at D'Artagnan, who rolled her eyes, and then at David, who looked ready to fight the sun. "Whatever." She climbed to her feet and followed David to the observation side of the interrogation room.
As soon as the door slammed shut behind her David was motioning to the door with one hand.
"You cannot hire D'Artagnan!" He looked at her as if she was out of her mind.
Emma snorted. "Why not? She seems pretty qualified. Did you know she used to teach women's self-defense classes until the Curse broke? Plus, I looked up her record with the fire department."
"Oh, you mean her fake, Cursed record? She never did any of that stuff!" He threw his hands up.
She scoffed right in his face. "Oh, so Mister We-Are-Both now dismisses Cursed stuff outright? Maybe she didn't actually do it, but it's in her to do it. Besides, she said in the Old World she was part of the King's Guard and personal bodyguard to Regina."
"Exactly!" David shouted, as if Emma had agreed outright with him. "She worked for Regina."
"Back when she was married to King Leopold. She was hiding from society while Regina was on her reign of terror." Emma's eyebrows drew tight at how he was acting. It was not a surprise he was against her decision, but it was annoying at how he seemed to think she was just plain wrong yet again.
"Not hiding. She was shunned! There's something wrong with her. She pretended she was a man while in the Guard and fell in love with Regina!"
Interesting. "Which one means there's something wrong with her?" Emma arched an eyebrow.
His nostrils flared. "Both, in my opinion. No one in their right mind purposely tricks people, especially without magic. She's a liar. She can't help herself. She's a deceiver and that's why she fell in love with Regina and first put the thought in Regina's head to kill King Leopold."
"What? Is that the story?" Emma knew that was far from the truth because she did crazy things like talk to Regina. Regina put the thought in her own head to kill the King when it seemed like there was no way out. Did that make it right? No. But, was Regina trying to put it off on someone else? Also no.
He exhaled as if annoyed. "Look, I don't want to work with her. She could betray us at any minute."
Just like me with Regina, I guess. Maybe the apple didn't fall that far from the tree. "Funny how that didn't matter with Hook and Gold. What's so different? Both have been hellbent on destroying us. Hell, with Gold, it was before I was even born." Of course, this being your idea probably makes it even worse to him.
He glared at her. "The difference is they're helpful."
"And she could be, too."
"The most infamous defect couldn't possibly be helpful!"
Emma blinked. "The what?" Wow, so D' Artagnan was right. Now, I've gotta learn more about "defects" and make sure they're all right. If the "good guys" were just throwing hurtful terms around, then regular people probably thought it was open season.
He took a breath to calm down. "Look, it's just I wouldn't be comfortable working with her."
"Why?"
"Because she hates your mom."
"What makes you say that?" Emma asked, even though hating her mother was not as hard as some people liked to pretend. Plus, D'Artagnan already hinted that her opinion of Mary Margaret was not great. But, again, it would probably be best to find out how deep the hatred for Mary Margaret went in case something went wrong with Mary Margaret. People in this town were not exactly known for separating their personal opinion from their morals.
"After the Curse broke and you were gone, there were some people bad-mouthing Snow. D'Artagnan said Snow deserved whatever happened to her."
"I'll look into it." Emma nodded before glancing back at D'Artagnan on the other side of the glass. "Until then, she stays."
"Emma." He put some bass in his voice like he was the authority in the room.
Emma laughed and walked away. Well, this would probably make the day more annoying. But, on a plus note, D'Artagnan was still there. Standing, but there.
"Should I?" D'Artagnan pointed toward the door.
"All right, so that desk you're standing next to can be yours, but honestly we're never in here enough for anyone to put a pen on their desk. Very annoying aspect of the job," Emma said.
D'Artagnan nodded. "I'm guessing the dress code is pretty casual."
Emma smiled. "I draw the line at pajamas."
"So, sweats are on the table?" D'Artagnan sounded intrigued rather than disgusted.
Emma gave her a hard look. "Tasteful sweats."
"Of course. We're not animals."
Emma laughed, even though she did not want to get along with D'Artagnan. She was not sure why, exactly since she was all right with hiring D'Artagnan. "So, do you go by… Charlotte?"
D'Artagnan held up a stern finger. "Don't say my name like it's not tough and cool, Emma."
"Hey, don't say my name like it's not cool, Charlotte."
D'Artagnan sucked her teeth. "I don't go by that. Before the Curse broke, everybody called me Charlie, which is cool, but now everyone calls me D'Artagnan again. I'm going to go by that for now, even if it's sometimes said with a sneer."
"Okay. Well, I guess you can catch us up on what we missed while we were in Neverland," Emma said as David joined them. She barely got started before Neal strolled into the station.
Emma groaned. I need him to go away right now. "Neal, what the hell are you even doing here?"
Neal shrugged. "Came to talk about Henry. Thought we could grab some breakfast." He grinned and then glanced at the other two people in the room. "Oh, hey."
"Neal, I'm at work right now. I can't talk," Emma replied.
"This is about our son," Neal replied, as if whatever he wanted to go on about was more important than her job. Beyond that, who the hell did he think he was? Henry was her son with Regina! Neal only just met him. He and Henry barely had a real conversation until last night.
Emma folded her arms across her chest. "Oh, really? And when did you start caring about 'our' son? One month into the pregnancy? One month ago? One minute ago? Please, let me know when it happened because I fucking missed it."
Neal scowled. "Oh, we're still on this?" He had the nerve to throw his hands up like he was fed up.
"You mean you framing me for your crime, leaving me to rot in prison, and having to give Henry up for adoption while I spend two more years behind bars? Are we still on that?" Emma stepped to his face and stared him down. "For the rest of my fucking life."
Neal curled his top lip. "Come on! I was trying to get you to realize your destiny."
"You were saving your own fucking skin." Emma sliced through the air. "I'm not here for your BS like everyone else. I don't know what the hell goes on in the Enchanted Forest where this is cool, but fuck that."
"I did what I had to do." He said that with the utmost confidence, like it was not super fucked up.
Emma glared at him so hard she gave herself a headache. "What the hell is wrong with you? You come here like you own the world and pretend like you didn't screw me over while acting like you give a damn about Henry? Did you really think I'd fall into your lap and let you just do whatever with my damn child?"
"This seems kinda private," D'Artagnan said, walking off toward their tiny breakroom. She glanced at David, but he did not move. He also did not join in to defend Emma, which was pretty disappointing since he was her father. He should be upset.
"This seems kinda over." Emma shoved Neal toward the door.
"Hey!" Neal flinched, but moved until she managed to get him out of the station. Then, she went to her office, glaring at David on her way for good measure. She slammed the door. She closed all of the blinds, not wanting to see if Neal had the nerve to return and not wanting to see David be a waste of space. I wish I had something to throw. I really need to put some stuff in here.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina was never happier to leave Granny's diner. She never imagined confronting the Blue Fairy would turn into her officially resigning her position and starting a special election. They would make the announcement later in the week. Just something to add on with her worries over Henry, D'Artagnan, Emma, and Mikey. Not to mention your own need for self-improvement. Two of those she needed to check on and make sure those two noble idiots ate. Knowing them, they're in trouble as we speak, but I don't hear any explosions, so they must be okay. Since she was at Granny's she might as well grab them lunch.
Regina stepped into the station and was surprised by the lack of activity. Emma seemed intent on cleaning the place when she came in this morning. Looking around, she made some progress. Regina had not expected that once D'Artagnan entered the equation, thinking they would somehow find a dragon to slay. They haven't burned the place down yet. I'm amazed. D'Artagnan was at a desk, so she probably got the job. D'Artagnan smiled at her, but Emma was nowhere to be seen.
Regina was flooded with worry. Where was Emma? She had not been in the best mood this morning, but Regina would not see her packing up and going home. Then, she noticed the office door closed. That meant Emma was inside, which did nothing to help her concern. It was a rare day for Emma to be inside the office. Did something happen between her and D'Artagnan? Regina could not see D'Artagnan being a problem. If anything, those two should get along too well as they were very similar.
"I brought you lunch," Regina said, holding up the bag in her left hand.
"Thank you," D'Artagnan replied as she accepted the bag. "So, I have the job."
"I assumed so. Slow morning?" Regina made a show of looking around.
D'Artagnan laughed. "Not at all. I get the feeling Emma doesn't do slow, by design and by fate. Her baby daddy was here. And this was after she argued with her daddy over my presence, so she's kinda done for the moment."
Regina glanced over to the closed office door. "Good thing I purchased one of her horrible grilled cheese sandwiches. Even if I'm sure there is no real cheese in it. "
"Yeah, she's gonna need that and maybe a shot. Before you head into the lion's den, could you do me a favor? I mean, you've done so much for me already, but—"
Regina cut in. "D'Artagnan, you're letting me stay in your home. Just ask the favor."
"I'm still worried about Mikey. I thought I'd meet her after school, but now I have work." She motioned to her desk.
Regina nodded. "I can do that." It would give her an excuse to check on Henry as well.
"Thank you."
Regina nodded again and went to the office door. She knocked. A loud groan greeted her. It must have been a trying day.
"Emma, it's me. I brought you lunch," Regina said. There was another groan. She's got nerve. Yes, she might have argued with two idiots, but at least she still has her idiots. "It's a grilled cheese, fries, and a root beer."
"Fine. Come in."
Regina opened the door and shut it behind her. Emma had her head down on her desk and let out an awful groan. She picked her head up just enough to look at Regina. There were lines under her eyes. Regina wanted to grab her hand and promise her everything would be all right, but that was something for Neverland and she was not sure if Neverland things were all right now.
"Please, be a real grilled cheese," Emma said. There was an edge of desperation in her voice. She needed comfort.
Regina's brow furrowed. "Why would it be a fake grilled cheese?" What would be a fake grilled cheese?
"I dunno. You like to bug me about my eating habits." Emma's mouth twisted into a sneer.
"Because you eat like a toddler. I'm surprised you're not drinking from a juice box." Regina put the lunch bag down on the desk.
Emma chuckled as she sat up a little straighter. "Yes, it's that type of normalcy I need after seeing that asshole today."
"Oh?" Regina eased into a seat, as she arched a brow for Emma to continue.
"Neal." Emma elaborated and Regina was all too eager for her to dish about Henry's terrible father. Maybe Emma would agree with her setting him on fire. Is that what a good person would do? Probably not, but she did not think she had to try to be good all at once. It was a step-by-step process, maybe.
Emma practically ripped into the bag. She shoved half of the sandwich in her mouth like some kind of crazed animal. Regina held in a wince as she sat down, crossing her legs at the ankles.
"Doing okay?" Regina asked.
Emma sighed and shook her head with her cheeks full of food. She swallowed before talking. "Before I even get into that, lemme tell you how sorry I am about yesterday."
Regina arched her eyebrow. "Yesterday?" Her heart pinched at the thought of yesterday.
"At the dock. I went with my parents. I knew I shouldn't have, but god, some stupid part of me still wants their attention, their love. I want to stop being this fucking lost little girl," Emma replied.
Regina was only partially surprised by the apology. She knew Emma's wants and thought it would take more than a day for Emma to realize she had not made the best decision. Unfortunately, they would have to stick with it now. It was not like Emma had anywhere else to go.
"I won't lie and say it didn't hurt, but I understand," Regina replied. "After all, did I not go right back to my mother when she showed up? I wanted her love and attention. I know what it's like to keep going back to that and never getting what I want unless I hurt myself. I wish I could tell you that I think it'll work out differently for you, but I'm not sure."
Emma rubbed her forehead. "Yeah, I'm not sure either. But, now, I'm kinda stuck with the dumb decision. Me and Henry need some place to stay, right?"
"You do. Maybe things will work out. I mean, my mother didn't have her heart. Your parents are supposedly all that good and lovely or something." Of course, that was utter nonsense. Snow and her pretender had PR up there with the Blue Fairy.
"And what about you? Can you rebuild your house eventually?"
"No."
"Not even with your new powers? I mean, those demon powers kicked a lot of ass in Neverland," Emma said before starting on the other half of her sandwich.
"No. I think the Blue Fairy anticipated my powers awakening. She salted the earth where the house stood. My magic is useless there."
"Well, that sucks. How does she know about your powers?"
"She's centuries old. Hell, maybe millennia old. I'm sure she was there when Lilith stepped into the Enchanted Forest, looking for human souls. It explains why no fairies ever helped me in life, except for Tink, who was thoroughly punished for doing so. Fairies help humans, not demons or demigods. And, even though they like to paint Lilith as a demon, she is a goddess, but anyway. It explains why she and Rumple were terrified of my mother. Mother's powers were beyond their own and I think she knew, even though she never said," Regina replied with a shrug.
Emma nodded and took a deep gulp of her root beer. The sound echoed through the room. "Just when I think I know everything about you I learn something new."
Regina snickered. "Oh, you will never know everything about me. A lady always has to have some mystery." She placed her hands on her knee like she was prim and proper. "Now, tell me what happened today that has you holed up in your office. When I came in this morning, it looked like you were daring to be productive."
Emma curled her lip and glared at her window for a moment. "My dad's being a jerk about D'Artagnan. And, speaking of D'Artagnan, you guys were lovers?"
Regina growled. "Of course not and never repeat that. How would that look? I was married to the King when I met her. That would have put D'Artagnan's life in danger, which happened anyway."
"What happened?"
"You have to ask D'Artagnan. It's very personal for her. Give her a chance. You two have a lot in common." And that was a little scary, but it might give Emma someone other than her parents to focus on and help her keep her sanity.
"I feel like I'm walking into a backhanded compliment, but what do we have in common?"
The question put a smile on Regina's face. "Noble idiots."
Emma nodded. "There it is." She took another bite of her sandwich and shoved fries in her face.
"D'Artagnan will do you well. I promise, especially since I won't be in a position to bail you."
Emma laughed. "When have you bailed me out as sheriff?"
"Who pulled you out of the Enchanted Forest? And all of Neverland." Regina scoffed before gesturing to the fries hanging from Emma's mouth. "And, I brought your lunch."
Emma rolled her eyes, but smiled as she took another bite of her sandwich. Her face brightened as she swallowed.
"Sorry about Neverland, too. I should've stayed with you and listened to you the first time. It would've saved me a lot of misery and heartache," Emma said.
"Again, it hurt at the time, but I'm actually glad you did it. Now, you know to just listen to me in the first place," Regina replied with a smirk.
"So, why won't you be able to save me from myself?" Emma asked, going back to Regina's original point.
"After dealing with the Blue Fairy and her mobster-like ruling of the town—" Regina did not get a chance to continue her explanation.
"What the hell is her deal?" Emma cut in, making Regina's eyes snap back to Emma. "D'Artagnan told me she was trying to round up all of your perceived allies while we were gone, but they hid and fought back. They only came out completely when they heard we were back. But, for a few days, anybody who had a comfortable life was suddenly an enemy of the state."
Regina shook her head. "It's easy to remain liked by creating an enemy that people already hate. Many of the people I gave comfortable lives to were villains to someone or 'defects' of some kind."
Emma's nose twitched as she looked down at her half eaten lunch. "That's a horrible word."
"Yes, it's a slur, just so you're aware."
"I figured when D'Artagnan explained to me that she was considered one. I wasn't about to call anyone that. Anyway, we're getting off topic."
"Yes, so after I confronted her over Tinker Bell and what she's been doing in town, she flipped it on me and called me a hypocrite for calling her a tyrant."
Emma glared at her. "You did not fall for that."
"No, but it was a good excuse to leave a position I never wanted in the first place." She had forgotten she never wanted to be queen, but now as she searched for her lost self, she could give up the things that were never hers in the first place. "I have no desire to lead those who don't want to follow."
Emma frowned. "Is this because I went after Neal in Neverland?"
Regina exhaled and her body deflated a little. "This is about Neverland, but not in that way." She stared at the floor as she tried to order her thoughts. "Some of it is what came out of Neverland. I have different priorities now than when I first created this town and became mayor. As I told you, Henry is everything."
A small smile slid onto Emma's face. "He really is."
"Yes. So, I want to focus on being a better person. I was trying that before all of Neverland things happened. When I was seeing Archie, one of the things we covered was how I became the Evil Queen. There were many reasons, but control was a big one." Regina looked at her hands, closed them into fists, and then opened them to see her palms. They looked like the same hands as always, but they were so different now. She was so different now and she did not want to look the same as always.
"I know," Emma said, still smiling. Of course she knew. Regina had bore her soul to Emma in Neverland.
"I understood I wanted to be in control, like my mother, like the King, so I became like them. I never faced the reason I wanted to be in control was to protect myself. I've never been able to protect myself, hell even as the Evil Queen. But, when my other powers woke up in Neverland, magic that defeated Pan and scared the Blue Fairy witless, I realized I don't need to babysit these idiots anymore. They can't hurt me. I don't have to be offensive or defensive with them. I don't have to play anymore. Seeing Henry, motionless, dead at the hands of a monster…" Regina sniffed, trying to hold her emotions at bay. So many things already haunted her dreams, but this would be a night terror forever.
Emma blew out a breath and rubbed her forehead with her thumb. "Yeah, I know. He's… everything."
Regina nodded. "He is and I want to give him everything he needs and deserves."
"I get it. So, now you're resetting your priorities."
"Yes. I can't stress to you enough how much I mean it when I say it. Henry is everything, Emma. I want to be there for him when he's ready, in ways no one was ever there for me."
Hazel eyes shimmered and Ema sniffled, but hid it under another handful of fries. "I want the same thing. I know how it feels to be beat down and alone. I want so much more for him, believe that."
"I do," Regina said softly before sighing. "So, I will wait for Henry, even if it hurts."
"I'm sorry this is happening. I really wish he wasn't so into Neal and blood ties and crap."
Regina nodded. "I don't think either of us are in a position to judge. We don't really know what it's like… to have a family." It was a sad fact, but there were brief moments where Regina thought she could understand family, maybe even feel it.
"Yeah, which sucks. I wanna believe that if I had ever got adopted, that would be my forever family, but I'd probably still wonder and fantasize about my birth parents, if only to figure out why they gave me up. Turns out, no reason would've ever been good enough for me."
"Yes, and we both also know parents aren't always what we need or want them to be."
Emma nodded. "But, we can both strive to be better."
"Agreed. So, with that said, I'll formally step down as mayor at the next town hall meeting. My deputy mayor will step in while there's a special election."
"You gonna run?"
Regina scoffed. "To suffer the humiliation of none of these idiots voting for me? I think not, especially since you know your mother will run and win. I can't imagine the shame I'd feel losing to her, even if it's predictable. I might be trying to be a better person Emma, but I still have my pride."
"It sucks, though. I think you'd do a good job as actual mayor. I mean, you know what you're doing."
"Democracy is almost never about competency."
"It'll be weird not working for you."
Regina smirked. "You mean working against me."
A burst of laughter erupted from Emma. "And whose fault is that?"
"Yours for not leaving when you were supposed to."
Emma smiled. "Best decision of my life."
"It doesn't have much competition." It was a joke, but not really.
"It really doesn't." Emma looked down at the food wrappers as she finished laying waste to her lunch. It would not be a surprise if she licked her fingers. "Thanks for this." She basically inhaled the rest of her root beer after that.
Regina shook her head. "It was the least I could do."
"No, the least you could do is nothing. I threw you under the bus twice and, yet, you're still here."
"Well, maybe I owe you." And maybe, just maybe, she was not ready to give Emma up yet. Whatever happened in Neverland was a first for her, opening up to someone and feeling heard, not being judged even though she was talking about Emma's family, not being made to feel wrong for feeling.
"I think we shouldn't keep score."
"Nonsense. How will we know who won?" Regina teased with a laugh.
"You make a valid point. I'm gonna beat you at something eventually." Emma laughed right along with her for a moment and then sobered. "Thanks for the deputy situation, too. I feel like I'm going to need the help. What are you going to do about your housing problem?"
"For now, D'Artagnan has opened her door to me. I think I'll stay there and help her get settled. Her life was ripped apart quite a few times."
"And how many others out there are in the same boat? You could help them all as mayor."
Regina waved that off. "I can help regardless. Will they let me is the real issue and do I want to. I'm inclined to help D'Artagnan because she showed me kindness. Others, we'll have to see." It did not seem unreasonable.
Emma nodded and chuckled. "Sure you're not in love with her?"
Regina curled her lip. "Good day, Miss Swan." She stood. D'Artagnan was a friend and she would not go through these accusations again, even though Emma was merely playing around. "And do not make that joke with her."
Emma laughed more, but stood from the desk and reached for her. She grabbed Regina's hand, holding it. It was more than Regina could take right now. A simple touch made her feel overloaded. She just wanted to grab Emma in a hug, curl into her chest, and wait for the world to be all right again. What nonsense is this?
"Come on, Regina," Emma said with a little pleading glint in her eyes. It hit Regina in the chest.
"Good day." Regina left the office with her usual flare of purple smoke, now mixed with sparks of gold.
-8-8-8-8-
After talking with Regina, Emma felt energy return to her. She could get up, go out into the world, and go on. That was how it was in Neverland. They did not have much contact during the day when the group was moving. There was always Hook, Mary Margaret, or even David in the mix, on her back, demanding her attention and then there was the stress of Henry being gone. It was exhausting, but during the night, she was never able to sleep. Regina never slept either.
At first, Regina claimed she could not sleep because Henry was gone, which was probably true. But, it came out that Regina did not sleep often anyway. Emma did not really either. They spent most of their nights talking, first about how Neverland made them feel weird, which as it turned out was it bringing out Regina's dormant powers and it was just messing with Emma's True Love/Savior magic. Then, the talking evolved into including their lives, especially as Regina tried to give Emma magic lessons, thinking it would help them in their quest. Nights with Regina gave Emma the energy to go in the day.
Emma stepped out of her office and saw D'Artagnan at her desk, but David was gone. "Where'd he go?" Emma nodded toward David's desk.
"He's not going to tell me," D'Artagnan replied. Her desk was clear and it looked like she swept the floor.
"Thanks for cleaning the place some."
D'Artagnan shrugged. "It gave me something to do."
Emma nodded. "So, do you think it's going to be a problem for you and David to work together?"
"As long as he doesn't expect me to worship at the altar of Snow White, I don't have a problem with the man."
"And your problem with Mary — Snow White…" Emma gritted out the name, but she should probably get used to it. She had lost Mary Margaret to the Curse and all that remained was Snow White. She did not see any evidence that they were both, as David claimed. If there was any Mary Margaret left, Snow White drowned her out. It made her heart heavy, but she had lost enough friends in life to many different circumstances. It would fade.
"She's a selfish brat. I don't hold it against you or anyone else. It's hers to own," D'Artagnan replied.
"What did she do to you?"
"I don't know you well enough yet to share that. But, just consider, she has yet to realize actions have consequences."
Emma rubbed the back of her neck. "I know that's true." It was Snow White's inability to understand what it meant for Emma to grow up without parents or to end up pregnant in prison that put them at odds now. It seemed Snow did not grasp her decision to want Regina as a stepmother or her sharing Regina's secret tore Regina's life apart. Emma could only guess what Snow had done to D'Artagnan and probably went about her life like it was just another day.
"For what it's worth, you seem like a good person and I want to help you help this town," D'Artagnan said.
Emma laughed. "All right, all right, stop interviewing for a job you already got. We should probably do a patrol around town, just to see how things are going. Sitting in a car for a couple of hours will determine if we can get along."
"Just remember, I'm housing your baby-mama should you kill me." D'Artagnan gave her a lopsided grin.
For some reason, Emma's stomach knotted up. It's just a joke, geez. She did not even get why it bothered her. "Killing you would be a mercy then. I can't imagine going home to Regina."
D'Artagnan tilted her head. "Can't you?"
Instead of asking what that was supposed to mean, Emma decided to press on with work. "Let's get moving. Make sure you grab your badge in case we have to get out."
D'Artagnan nodded. "Clipped it to my belt already, but I'm going to invest in a chain, so I can wear it around my neck on sweatpants days."
That time Emma did laugh. They got into the patrol car and drove around. They spotted a few Lost Boys up to no good, but redirected them to a center that should help. According to D'Artagnan there were a couple of places to help wayward kids in Storybrooke, as some were trying to find their actual parents rather than their Cursed parents. It was nice to hear some people in Storybrooke spent their week trying to do some good. They only encountered a problem when they rolled up on a group of twenty-somethings pushing around a guy on an empty street corner. Emma flashed the lights as she and D'Artagnan got out of the car.
"Is there a problem here?" Emma asked, even though she knew bullying when she saw it. And, since they were probably adults, it was pretty much battery.
One of the guys snickered. "Well, well, well, look at this. The defect is here."
"It's Deputy Defect, douchebag," D'Artagnan replied, pointing to her badge.
The young man frowned and then glared at Emma. "You hired this damn defect as a deputy? You're supposed to be the Savior. You're supposed to be with us." He motioned to his crew.
"I'm with everybody while we're here. So, I guess you and your merry band of morons leave him alone and be on your way," Emma replied.
He sized her up for a moment and then wisely walked away. The guy being bullied straightened his clothes and thanked them before going about his business as well. Emma sighed. That felt good, but also not.
"Don't let them just call you a defect," Emma said.
D'Artagnan shrugged. "All they can do is call. Anything more and they know I'll kick their asses. You think that stupid movie Man in the Iron Mask did my skills justice?" She scoffed, throwing her head to the side. "I'm not worried about them when it comes to me. It's people like me who can't kick their asses."
Emma nodded. "Yeah. Good point." She wanted to protect those people, too. No one should be hurt for being different. "Let's keep patrolling." They got back in the car.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina had kept busy for the afternoon by preparing the deputy mayor to take over. But, at 2:30 on the dot, she left. She teleported to the school to wait for Mikey. The children were let out on time and Regina kept a sharp eye out for Mikey in the crowd. D'Artagnan was supposed to text Mikey, but Regina was not sure if Mikey checked her messages, even from her mother. And then all of that flew from her mind as she locked eyes with Henry in the dismissal crowd.
"Mom!" It was not a happy sound and he stormed over to her, holding his book bag straps. "Unbelievable!" He glared at her as soon as he stood before her.
"Henry, I—" She did not get a chance to say anything further.
"I don't need you picking me up from school! I'm not a little kid anymore and I can handle myself." Neverland had proven otherwise, but okay.
Why is he so upset? "Henry, I—"
He had the gall to point at her. "You need to get out of here is what you need to do." He huffed, his chest visibly moving up and down with each breath.
"Henry, I'm not trying to embarrass you," she said. They were drawing a crowd, though. Someone was probably recording this whole spectacle.
"No? You're doing a hell of a job. I'm not a baby anymore!" His face was red and his eyes wet, like he was about to bawl. Maybe this was about more than school.
Regina held her hands up in surrender. "Henry, please—"
"I don't want you here!"
She could not stop herself from flinching, stepping back as the world tilted. The words hit Regina both like a sniper shot and an eighteen wheel truck. Her heart shattered while her body erupted in horrible pain. And it was at that point Mikey appeared at her side.
Mikey stared at them for a second and Regina could only imagine the devastation on her face. Mikey grabbed her hand and squeezed. How dare these imbeciles treat this sweet child with anything but the utmost respect?
"Ready to go?" Mikey asked.
"Yes, dear." And Regina was so out of it, Mikey had to lead her away by the hand.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the aftermath of this encounter.