Hey everyone, sorry for the delay.

You know what life can be like sometimes! Anyway, I should be back to daily updates again now

V x

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Emma was unnerved.

For the last few days, things had seemed peaceful around Storybrooke. No major calls had come into the Sheriff station, nothing untoward had been found when she was out on patrol, and there was no sign of Snow White.

The issue with security for the mansion had been fixed. They added Regina's blood to the existing amulets for the family, to keep Snow and Blue out. This combined with the original blood from Mal and Willow, made their home a fortress.

Without an amulet that contained Regina's, Mal's and Willow's blood, then access to the mansion was impossible.

Yet Emma was definitely unnerved.

She had the distinct feeling of being watched, but when she discreetly looked around her there was no one in sight that was suspicious in any way.

Granny was spotted picking up stock for the diner. Totally harmless.

Sydney, milling around aimlessly, as he had been since his release after the curse broke, was again, totally harmless. He had long stopped working for Regina, who was now her wife, so Emma was not suspicious of him.

Leroy was spotted a few times, but after his heckling of Snow at her trial, she didn't think he would have a reason to follow her either.

So why couldn't Emma shake the feeling that someone was quietly observing everything that she did?

Feeling unsafe, even though she didn't know why, Emma decided to call a family meeting after dinner, and gathered her nearest and dearest around the table in the dining room.

"So, this is going to sound strange, but I feel like someone is following me. I'm being vigilant, and I've looked around me for someone who looked suspicious, and there was never anyone there, but I just can't shake the feeling," Emma started, looking round at her family, and pleading with her eyes that they trust her judgement.

"Your instincts are usually correct, Emma, so let's all just be more aware of ourselves and our surroundings when we leave the house," Mal proposed, immediately trusting Emma's feeling of disquiet.

"I don't know what more we can do, apart from be aware that there is an ongoing threat out there with Snow. We have no idea what she is planning or what to expect," Kathryn stated seriously.

"Well, I've had a lot of time to think, at the station and on patrol lately, because it's been strangely quiet in town," Emma told them. "I feel like maybe we need to put measures in place to protect ourselves from not just Snow but Blue as well. A magic user is a much harder enemy than a former bandit."

"What do you suggest, darling?" Regina asked her.

"Well, as I'm sure you all remember, Cora was able to impersonate Regina, in order to frame her for Archie's death," Emma looked around, seeing uncomfortable nods from the people at the table who had automatically jumped to the conclusion that Regina was guilty.

Regina caught the uncomfortable looks, and smiled reassuringly, "it was a long time ago," she said gently, "you had valid reasons to suspect me, even if the dream catcher hadn't revealed my image."

"I think we need a password. So that if we feel like we are in a situation, where something feels 'off', then we can check that the person we are with, is actually who they say they are," suggested Emma.

"Ok," David agreed, "anyone got a suggestion for a password?"

"It needs to be simple so we don't forget it, and easy for the children to remember," Regina advised. "Even if they aren't leaving the mansion at the moment, it would protect them against someone trying to gain access, and they couldn't be tricked by someone saying they had forgotten their amulet. We need to plan and warn them against all possibilities."

"Dragon!" Willow called out hopefully, "can that be the password?" she looked around, begging with her eyes.

The people around the table nodded or shrugged, and it was decided on. Dragon it was.

Mal cleared her throat, "there may be something else that we need to consider. If Snow or Blue do manage to take one of us unawares, and we are being threatened, then we need a way of telling someone that we are not safe, without letting Blue or Snow know that the alarm has been raised."

"Like in a hostage situation?" queried Henry.

"Well, hopefully it won't come to that, but yes. Just a simple word or phrase that lets the other person know that something is wrong," Mal agreed with him.

"What could we slip into a conversation that won't sound out of place?" Belle asked.

"Something food related," Emma laughed, "we've got big appetites in this family, one of us is always hungry!"

"Red apples," smirked Regina, "easy to remember, and of course, my speciality."

Laughing, the rest of the family agreed. Feeling slightly happier, Emma called an end to the meeting, and went back out on patrol.

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"So, Sydney, what can you tell us?" Blue asked the ex-reporter, who had arrived at the cottage to give his update.

"Emma is cautious and very aware of her surroundings," Sydney advised them, "whatever you're planning, you will find it difficult to get anywhere close to her."

"I didn't ask for your opinion, I need only facts," Blue told him, "what are her weak spots? When is she alone?"

"The mansion is well protected, and the children never leave at the moment. The adults tend to come and go as needed, but their lives are far from normal at the moment. Emma always has people at the station with her, since they hired new deputies," Sydney reported. "Her only weak point is when she is on patrol, which she does alone."

"So she doesn't ever take anyone on patrol with her?" Snow confirmed, "well that works in our favour. We can get her alone, and away from anyone she would normally rely on for back-up."

"What are you going to do?" Sydney asked hesitantly, not wanting to anger the two women with his questions.

Blue nodded to Snow, "I think he has earned his right to know. He has served us well these last few days."

Snow looked at him critically for a moment, not quite trusting the slimy reporter, but eventually making the decision to include him in the plans.

"We are taking Emma, and we are leaving for the Enchanted Forest," Snow told him, leaving a lot of the plan out, still not trusting him entirely.

Sydney looked relieved, "I had thought it might be something more vengeful than that. So, you get your daughter back, and then you live in the Enchanted Forest together? She won't forgive you, though, surely you know that?"

"There is more to it, Sydney," Blue told him, "when we leave, Storybrooke will be destroyed. We have a device that will remove all the magic from the town, including the curse that brought us here. No magic means no town. Snow will be all that she has left. Emma wil have no choice but to fall into line."

"I don't understand? What about all the people here?" Sydney asked with an increasing feeling of dread trickling down his spine.

"What about them?" Snow asked imperiously, "they showed where their loyalties lay, when I was put on trial. They deserve no mercy for their act of treason against the crown."

"So, you're just going to let them all die?" Sydney asked incredulously.

"There are of course exceptions, but yes. We have a single magic bean that was removed from Rumples shop, and those we wish to take with us will be told when and where they need to be in order to leave with us. No one else matters," Snow told him calmly, as Sydney noticed the cold glint of steel in her eyes for the first time. Knowing he needed to get out of there safely, he decided to play along.

"Well, they all let me get locked up for a crime I didn't commit, so yes, let them suffer," he agreed, as if they weren't casually discussing the impending death of the majority of the population of Storybrooke.

"Please keep an eye on Emma, and let us know if there are any changes that we need to be aware of," Blue dismissed him, pointing to the door to indicate he should leave, which he did. Sydney could not wait to get out of there, suddenly realising just how precarious his position in all this actually was.

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A few days later, everything was still quiet, and Emma was gratefully on her way home. After a long day, she wanted nothing more than to walk into the arms of her very pregnant Wife, and stay there until she had to go to work the next day. The extra patrols as they all looked for Snow, were beginning to take their toll on all of them.

Groaning as a call came in on her cell, she pulled over to deal with it.

"Sheriff Swan," Emma answered her cell.

"Emma, it's Eric. We've had a call in about a hit and run. I've called an ambulance to the scene, but someone needs to be there to take statements from witnesses. Can you go?"

"I'm on my way home, but where is it? If it's not too far out of my way, I can stop on my way."

"It's the main crossroads near the beginning of the forest."

"Ok, I got it. That's not far from me," Emma reluctantly agreed, cursing to herself.

"Thanks, Emma," Eric said gratefully, "I'll owe you one."

"Sure, whatever," Emma couldn't help grouching, before she hung up.

Blue laughed quietly to herself. It was child's play really, using magic to divert a call so it looked like it came from the station, and even easier to disguise her voice as one of the Sheriff's trusted deputies.

Now, it was just up to Snow to play her part, and Blue knew she would play it well.

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Emma pulled up to the crossroads, looking for an ambulance, surprised they weren't on the scene yet. Looking around, she realised there was a body lying in the middle of the road, and threw her door open, in her haste to get to it.

Running over, she couldn't see anyone else around, and was grateful for the first aid courses Regina made her and the deputies take every year. Hoping she would be able to help the person, she crouched down next to them.

Their face was hidden from view, but Emma could see that they were female, "hello? Are you ok?"

The body gave no response, so Emma tried to gently turn them over to assess their injuries. Before she could react, the woman moved as quick as lightning and the last thing Emma was aware of, was inhaling the strange cloud of powder that had just been thrown in her face.

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"Hey, Mom, what's for dinner?" Henry asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Nothing yet," Regina rolled her eyes, "Emma is meant to bring home a few items before I can start cooking, but she's late."

"Mom's always late," Henry laughed, "not even you can train that out of her."

"Won't stop me trying," Regina told him, eyes glinting with mischief, "I will never give up!"

"Good luck," Henry giggled, "you know it's a lost cause."

"I know," admitted Regina, "but it's still fun to torment her sometimes."

This time it was Henry rolling his eyes, "you two are so weird sometimes," he complained.

"We are," agreed Regina amiably, "now go wake your sister from her nap, and I'll see if there is anything else I can knock up for dinner, so it doesn't get too late for everyone."

"Ok, Mom," Henry headed up the stairs.

He opened the door to Willow's room, expecting to find a sleepy little girl napping, and was shocked to find Willow throwing herself upright into a sitting position, white as a ghost and shaking with fear.

"Willow? What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"Mom! Something happened to Mom! To Emmy!"

"Hey, it's ok, it was just a dream," Henry reassured her, putting his arms around her.

"Henwy, it wasn't a dream. Someone made Mom go to sleep and now she's all alone."

"Come downstairs, ok? Mom is down there and we can call Emma. She's just at the shops getting some things we needed for dinner, but she will be back soon."

Willow said nothing, but jumped off the bed and made her way downstairs, with Henry following behind, wondering how to calm his sister down. The stress of the situation they were living in must be getting to her, he reasoned to himself.

It was getting to them all.

Willow threw her arms around Regina's legs as soon as she entered the kitchen.

"Hello, little one, did you have a nice nap?" Regina asked, before noticing that Willow had tears streaming down her face, "what's wrong?" she asked, looking towards Henry for any signs.

"She had a bad dream," Henry shrugged.

"It wasn't a bad dream!" Willow screamed, shocking them both, and bringing Mal in from the garden to investigate the source of Willow's distress.

"What's wrong, little dragon? Can you tell me?" Mal crouched down next to her.

"Someone took Mom and made her sleep. She's all alone and she's scared," Willow sobbed.

"It was just a dream, little one, your Mom will be home any minute, ok?" Regina told the little girl, rubbing her shoulders comfortingly.

Mal discreetly shook her head at Regina, alerting her to the fact something was wrong.

"Can you open your mind for me, young one? Will you show me what you saw?" Mal asked her.

Willow nodded, relief on her face that someone was listening to her.

"Ok, you're very stressed, little dragon, so how about we try our breathing exercises for a moment. It will help," Mal suggested, as she started counting for Willow to follow along.

Once Willow was calmer, Mal attempted to make the connection, and gasped when she saw Willow's vision.

"Regina," Mal said as calmly as possible, "can you try calling Emma and find out where she is? Henry, Willow, I need you to go into the garden and let us have a grown up conversation."

"But what about Mom?" Willow asked obstinately.

"Do you trust me, little dragon?"

"Of course, Aunty Mal," Willow told her.

"We need to find your Mom, and I promise you we won't stop until we do, but we need a little time to do it. Do you understand?"

"Is she missing then?" Henry asked, fear in his voice.

"We don't know yet, Henry, but the sooner you do as we ask, the sooner we will be able to find out," Mal told him seriously.

"Ok," Henry agreed, holding his hand out to Willow, "come with me, Sis."

Waiting until both children were out of earshot, Regina turned to Mal, "what's going on? She's not picking up her cell! How bad is it?"

"I believe Willow saw a vision. It's not uncommon for dragons to have the gift of sight. All I saw was Emma walking towards a figure lying in the road, and when she tried to help her, they threw what I believe was probably poppy dust in her face, which knocked her out. I'm so sorry, Regina," Mal reached out and pulled her into her arms, comforting the pregnant woman as she cried for Emma.

Pulling back, Regina steadied herself, "what do we do? Do you know where she is? Were there any clues?"

"We could try a locator spell, though if Blue is involved then it's unlikely it will work, if they are shielding the location from magic. Try calling her again? Just in case? These things are not always set in stone."

Regina reached for her phone, but already knew that Emma wouldn't answer. What she had mistakenly thought was her own, she now realised was Emma's fear that she was feeling.

Her wife was alone and afraid.

"No answer," she told Mal, "but I can feel her. I can feel her fear! I think something is blocking her magic though, because I can't access it."

"We need to call a family meeting," Mal told her, "then we start searching. We will get her back, I promise you."

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Across town, Emma was desperately trying to figure out a way to escape. Her hands were tied behind her back, and to the radiator behind her. She knew, without seeing, that she must have been cuffed because she couldn't access her magic.

Panicking not for herself, but for how scared her family must be, she knew that she had little choice but to wait for her kidnappers to show themselves.

She was not waiting long.

The door opened, and steps leading upwards were revealed. From that, combined with the lack of windows, she deduced she was in a cellar or basement.

Snow walked into the room, and sat down on a chair opposite her, saying nothing.

"What do you want, Snow? You know they'll find me. What's the point in all of this?" she asked tiredly.

"No one will find you, Emma, not where we're going. It's time for a family holiday," Snow smugly informed her, gloating that her plan had worked so far.

"Family?! None of them are here! They're all at home!"

Snow jumped up and slapped Emma across the face, "how dare you speak to me like that?!"

"Whatever your plan is, Snow, you will fail," Emma told her calmly, "what you seem to forget is love always wins."