This is something I've been thinking of doing for a while. I had a few ideas for OUAT AUs, so I decided it would be good to put them all together. This chapter took ages to write, so don't expect regular updates (sorry!)

Snow White was getting married to Prince James. It was a wedding everyone wanted to attend, but only a select few were going to. They were saying their vows when a sound came crashing through the door.

"Sorry, I'm late," came the sound of the Evil Queen. 2 guards tried to get to her, but she pushed them out of the way like they were her playtoys. Snow came up to face her, about to throw a ball of light at her with her magic.

"She's not a queen anymore," said Snow. "She's nothing more than an evil witch!"

"No, don't stoop to her level," said Prince James. "There's no need." He turned back to the Queen. "You're wasting your time! You've already lost.

"I haven't come here to ruin anything," said the former Queen. "On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift."

"We want nothing from you," Snow said.

"But you shall have it. My gift to you is this happy, happy day. But tomorrow, my real work begins. You've made your vows, now I make mine. Soon everything you love, everything all of you love will be taken from you forever. And out of your suffering will rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness if it was the last thing I do."

As she walked away, Charming shot something at her, before she vanished into thin air.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Emma Swan had a weird life. You could call it boring, which it was sometimes, but other times it was interesting. She was single, having many relationships with both men and women, only one friend, but she also had magical powers which she knew how to use due to an event happening in her past. She was a bail bondsperson, and a very good one at that, but no one exactly knew why she was so good.

She didn't use her magic too much, but she did use it sometimes. Never in public of course, but it was fun when she did. As an orphan, Emma had no idea where her magic came from, she only knew what Ingrid told her, and even then she doubted anything her old adoptive mother told her was true. She had no idea who her parents were. Her only friend August found her on the side of a freeway, and that's how it happened. She investigates what is the most plausible explanation for her abilities based on how little she knows, but she hasn't found much. Usually, she just does her job without complaining.

She walked into the restaurant she was meeting at, and started her plan, as she went up to her target today, Ryan.

"Emma?" he said, when she got to the table.

"Ryan? You look relieved."

"Well, it is the internet," Ryan said. "Pictures can be…"

"Fake? Outdated? Stolen from a Victoria's secret catalogue?"

"Exactly," Ryan said. "So tell me something about yourself, Emma."

"Uh, well," Emma said. "Today's my birthday."

That wasn't a lie. Today was her 28th birthday. Another boring year.

"And you're spending it with me?" Ryan questioned. "What about your friends?"

"Kind of a loner," Emma said. "But my only friend's hopefully going to come over later."

"And you don't like your family?"

"No family to like."

"Come on, everyone has family."

"Technically, yeah," Emma said. "But not everyone knows who they are. Ready to run yet?"

"Not a chance," Ryan said. "You Emma are by far the sexiest almost friendless orphan I have ever met."

Emma laughed. "Okay, your turn. No, wait, let me guess. Um, you are handsome, charming…"

"Go on."

"The kind of guy who, and stop me if I get this wrong, embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your ass in jail?" Emma said.

"What?"

"And the worst part of all this is your wife," said Emma. "Your wife loves you so much she bailed you out. And how do you repay that loyalty, you're on a date."

"Who are you?" Ryan asked.

"The chick who put up the rest of the money," Emma revealed.

"The bail bondsman."

"Bail bondsperson," Emma corrected.

Ryan suddenly threw the table down at Emma and ran out of the restaurant.

"Really?" Emma sighed, as she ran after him. She got to his car, which luckily had a broken tire.

"You don't have to do this," he said. "I can pay you, I've got money."

"No you don't," Emma corrected. "And if you did, you should give it to your wife to take care of your family."

"What the hell do you know about family, huh?"

"Nothing," Emma said, as she hit his head on the wheel.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

After getting a cupcake and candle from her local bakery (like every year), Emma headed home.

"Another banner year," she said, and blew her candle out, making a wish.

The bell rang. That should be August. Weirdly early.

But it wasn't August at the door. It was a kid, about 10, wearing a scarf, backpack and jacket.

"Um, can I help you?" Emma asked.

"Are you Emma Swan?" asked the kid.

"Yeah," said Emma, wondering. "And who are you?"

"My name's Henry," said the kid. "I'm your son."

What? What did he mean? The kid, Henry crawled under Emma's arm and wondered into the house.

"Hey, kid, kid, kid!" Emma said. "I don't have a son! Where are your parents?"

"Ten years ago, did you give up a baby for adoption?" He could tell by Emma's face that she did. "That was me."

"Give me a minute," Emma said, as she went into the bathroom to take all this in.

She did. It was a weird time, She was 17 when she was pregnant with him, just got out of the foster system, was basically a master thief like her boyfriend, Neal, until August found her and got her away from that life. She then went to prison, and decided to just give the baby up, he needed his best chance, and that wasn't with her. She did however make sure he was getting adopted straight away, just so he wouldn't end up like her.

It could be that Emma's magic is genetic and Henry also possesses magical powers. Or it could be that some accident happened. She didn't know. But why was he here now? Maybe to ask about that? I mean, he's only 10. Would his adoptive mother and/or father let him go out on his own to find his birth mother? She needed to deal with this.

"You have any juice?" Emma heard Henry say. "Never mind, found some."

Emma walked out of the bathroom to see Henry drinking Emma's full bottle of orange juice.

"We should probably be going," he said.

"Going where?"

"I want you to come home with me."

"Okay, kid," Emma said. "I'm calling the cops."

"Then I'll tell them you kidnapped me."

Emma stopped. "And they'll believe you because I'm your birth mother."

"Yep."

Emma used a part of her magic she had, which was the ability to tell if someone was lying or not. She had to be looking for it to use it though. Like, have her in-built lie detector turn on. She disguises it as just someone who's really good at telling when people are lying.

"You're not going to do that," Emma said.

"Try me."

"You're pretty good," Emma said. "While there's not a lot I'm great at in life, but one skill I do have is that I'm really good at telling when people are lying. And you, kid, are." Emma started dialling.

"Wait!" Henry insisted, panicking. "Please don't call the cops. Please. Come home with me."

"Where's home?" Emma asked, noticing that she didn't want to call the police on her own son, but also she had nothing else to do today, so why not?

"Storybrooke."

Weird name. Obviously a stupid pun. She assumed that they're big fans of fairytales or something. "Storybrooke, really?"

"Yup."

"All right then," Emma said. "Let's get you back to Storybrooke."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Snow was looking out. It has been 3 months since the wedding. Nothing had changed. Snow was worried. What did Regina mean when she said she was going to take away everyone's happiness and why? Why wasn't it just her? Something Snow never understood is why Regina tortured everyone when it was really just her who she wanted to see suffer. Snow can fight back with her magic, she's always been able to, which is what she did before. But how to do it this time?

Charming walked up to her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," Snow said.

"You're thinking about what the Queen said again, aren't you?" Charming worked out quickly. "Snow, please. I can't keep having this conversation. You have to let it go. We're about to have a baby."

"I haven't had a restful night since our wedding."

"That's what she wants," Charming said. "To get in your head. But they are only words, she can't hurt us."

"She poisoned an apple because I accidentally told a secret," Snow said. "You have no idea what she's capable of."

"What can I do to ease your mind?" Charming asked.

"Let me to talk to an old friend," Snow said.

"You don't mean…"

"I do."

"No! It's too dangerous," Charming said. "When you convinced Ella not to lock him up, you said…"

"He sees the future."

"You said you would never see him again."

"Can you promise me that our child will be safe?" Snow asked. "Can you guarantee it? Because he can!"

"All right," said Charming. "For our child."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"I'm hungry," Henry said in the middle of the trip. "Can we stop somewhere?"

"This is not a road trip," Emma said. "We're not stopping for snacks."

"Why not?"

"Quit complaining, kid," Emma said. "Remember, I could've put your butt on a bus. Still could."

"You know I have a name," said the kid. "It's Henry.

Emma looked down, and saw Henry had what looked like a storybook.

"I'm not sure you're ready."

"Ready for some fairy tales?"

"They're not fairytales, they're true," Henry said. "Every story in this book actually happened."

"What?" Emma said. She stopped. She knew some supernatural force out there existed, she just didn't know what it was. Could this be it? Or was this kid just crazy?

"See if I'm lying," Henry said.

Good idea. Emma used her magic to see if he was lying, he was not.

"Just because someone believes something doesn't make it true," Emma said.

"That's exactly what makes it true," Henry said. "You should know more than anyone."

"Why is that?"

"Because you're in this book."

"What?" said Emma. "What do you mean?

"And a very important part too."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Snow and Charming got to the castle of Snow's former teacher. He may be The Dark One, but Snow owed him for teaching her everything she knew, which is why she couldn't let him go to the cell which Ella had planned. They found a different way to make that deal right.

Charming hated him though. He never trusted him. Snow didn't either, but at least she knew there was something there. Charming didn't know the other side to Rumple, so he wasn't okay with it when Snow objected to Ella's plan. Snow told Charming that she'll never see him again, unless it's an emergency.

This was an emergency.

"Are you sure about this?" Charming asked.

"It has to be counted for something," Snow said, and then knocked.

Rumpelstiltskin answered the door with a grin on his face. "Hello dearie. Fancy seeing you here on this fine day. Come in, come in. Hopefully, you can make yourself at home."

The two sat down in the dark castle.

"We're here to ask about…" Charming said.

"Yes, yes I know why you're here," said The Dark One. "You want to know about the Queen's threat."

"Tell us what you know!" Snow said.

"Oh, tense aren't we?" Rumple said. "For I can ease your mind, but it's going to cost you something in return."

"Haven't we done enough?" Charming asked.

"I'm grateful for what your wife did, dearie," said Rumple. "But that doesn't make this situation relevant."

"What do you want?" Snow asked.

"The name of your unborn child."

"Absolutely not."

"Deal," Snow agreed, "Tell us what you know."

"The Queen has created a powerful curse," explain Rumpelstiltskin. "And it's coming. Soon you'll all be in a prison, like the one you saved me from, only worse. Your prison, all of our prisons, will be time. Time will stop. And we will be trapped. Some place horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love will be ripped from us while we suffer for eternity, while the Queen celebrates, victorious at last! No more happy endings."

"What can we do?" Snow asked.

"We can't do anything."

"So none of the spells you teach me can fight her's?" Snow said, confused.

"It's too powerful," Rumple said.

"Can anyone do something about it?"

"That little thing growing inside your belly," Rumple said, touching the belly, which Charming then hits his hand with a sword.

"Charming, I'll deal with this," Snow said.

"The infant is our only hope," said Rumple. "Get the child to safety. Get the child to safety and on its 28th birthday, the child will return, the child will find you, and the final battle will begin!"

"I've heard enough," Charming said. "We're leaving."

"Wait!" Rumple said. "We had a deal. I need her name! Give me her name."

"Fine, Emma," Snow answered. "Her name is Emma."

Snow teleported out of the castle, not knowing what to think of his warnings. The Dark One always spoke in riddles, but we never knew why or how.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Emma and Henry got into Storybrooke and stopped.

"Right, kid, how about an address?" Emma asked.

"44 Not-Telling-You Street."

"Look, it's been a long night," Emma said. "And it's almost…" Emma looked up at the big clock on the tower. "8:15?"

"That clock hasn't moved my whole life," Henry said. "Time is frozen here."

Could just be a broken clock. Only one way to check. Emma pointed two fingers up at the clock, about to use magic to fix it (hoping Henry wouldn't notice), and nothing happened.

"That is certainly strange," Emma said.

"The Evil Queen did it with her curse," Henry said. "She sent everyone from the enchanted forest here."

Emma thought for a minute. Yes, she knew some sort of fantasy exists. But all Ingrid told her was that they're from another world (which could mean anything). So this was possible, she was always open, just nothing felt like it fits. And now her biological son believed she was a figure in a book…

She really hoped she had found it.

"Hang on, The Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairytale characters here?"

"Yeah, and now they're trapped."

"Frozen time, stuck in Storybrooke, Maine?" Emma said. "So is this really what happens?"

"It's true," Henry insisted.

"Well, why doesn't anybody just leave?" Emma asked.

"They can't," Emma said. "If they try, bad things happen."

Suddenly, a man with short, ginger hair and glasses, who appeared to be walking his Dalmatian, walked up to them.

"Henry?" he said. "What are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

"I'm fine, Archie."

"Who's this?"

"Just someone trying to give him a ride home."

"She's my mom, Archie."

"Oh, I see," said the man, Archie.

"You know where he lives?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, sure, just right up on Mifflin Street," Archie explained. "The mayor's house is the biggest one on the block."

Emma stopped. "You're the mayor's kid?"

"Maybe," Henry said.

"Where were you today, Henry?" Archie asked. "You missed our session."

"Well, I forgot to tell you, I went on a field trip," Henry said.

"Henry, what did I tell you about lying?" said Archie. "Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything."

Emma thought for a moment. He doesn't seem cursed at all.

"Okay," she said. "I really should be getting him home."

"Yeah, sure, well, listen, you have a good night and you be good, Henry."

He then walked away.

"So that's your shrink?" Emma asked.

"I'm not crazy."

"Didn't say that," said Emma. "I'm always open to the possibilities. He just doesn't seem cursed to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you."

"He's the one who needs help," Henry said. "Because he doesn't know."

"That he's a fairytale character."

"None of them do. They don't remember who they are."

Emma thought for a second. It's possible that the other world Ingrid was describing was this 'Enchanted Forest', and that everyone but her was brought here by a curse. It would certainly explain her magic. But it is also very possible that Henry has just got a few fantasies. She needed to look for more evidence. Maybe she was just bad at fixing clock spells. Ingrid never taught her that after all.

"Well, who's he supposed to be then?" Emma asked.

"Jiminy Cricket," Henry said.

"Right, the lying thing, thought your nose grew a little bit," Emma said, trying to make some humour out of the situation.

"I'm not Pinocchio."

"Course you're not," Emma said. "Because that would be ridiculous."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"I say we fight!" Charming said.

"Fighting is a bad idea," said Jiminy. "Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything."

"And how many wars has a clear conscience won?" Charming said. "We need to take the Queen out before she can inflict her curse."

"Can we even trust Rumplestiltskin?" asked one of the dwarfs.

"My wife trusts him," Charming said. "And that's enough for me. And even if she didn't, I've sent my men into the forest, the animals are abuzz the Queen's plan. This is going to happen unless we do something!"

"There's no point," Snow said. "The future is written."

"No, I refuse to believe that," Charming said. "Good can't just lose."

"Maybe it can," Snow said. "I know Rumplestiltskin well. He wouldn't say this unless he knew for sure it was going to happen."

"But we have each other," said Charming. "If you believe him about the curse, then you must believe him about our child. She will be the saviour."

Suddenly, the door opened, and a group of knights were carrying a giant tree.

"What the hell is this?" Charming asked.

"Our only hope of saving that child," said the Blue Fairy.

"What the hell is she doing here?" asked Grumpy. "And why does our fate rest on a stupid tree? Let's get back to the fighting thing."

"The tree is enchanted," Blue said. "It fashioned into a vessel, it can ward off any curse."

"Why should we believe that?" Snow shouted. "After everything you've done, why would you help us?"

"The curse will affect everyone," said Blue. "Including us fairies. We all have to work together to stop it."

"We still don't trust you," said Charming.

"Then trust me," Geppetto said. "I'll build it, The Blue Fairy will just arrange it. What do you think?"

Snow and Charming both nodded in agreement.

"There is however a catch," said Blue.

"Well, of course there is," moaned Charming.

"The enchantment is indeed powerful," said Blue. "But every power has its limits, and this tree can protect only one."

Snow and Charming looked at each other.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Emma and Henry got to the Mayor's house, the biggest one on the block. Emma was still sceptical, but after the clock, she acknowledged there was evidence.

"Please don't take me back there," Henry said.

"I have to," said Emma. "I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you."

"I don't have parents," Henry explained. "Just a mom and she's evil."

"Evil?" questioned Emma. "That's a bit extreme, isn't it?"

"She is, she doesn't love me," Henry said. "She only pretends to."

"Kid, I'm sure that's not true," Emma said. And just then, a thin woman with short black hair came running, followed by a bearded man in a sheriff uniform.

"Henry, Henry!" the woman said. "Oh! Are you okay? Where have you been? What happened?"

"I found my real mom!" Henry said, running off.

Henry's adoptive mother turned to Emma. "You're Henry's birth mother?"

"Hi," Emma said, unsure of what to say.

"I'm just going to check on the lad, make sure he's all right," said the guy in a sheriff uniform.

"How would you like a glass of the best apple cider you've ever tasted?" asked Henry's adoptive mother.

"Got anything stronger?"

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

A few minutes later, Henry's adoptive mother introduced herself as Mayor Regina Mills, as the two started talking.

"How did he find me?" Emma asked.

"No idea," said Regina. "When I adopted him, he was only three weeks old. The records were sealed. I was told the birth mother didn't want to have any contact."

"You were told right," Emma confirmed.

"And the father?"

Emma thought for a moment. Neal was Henry's father. She never even told him about Henry, because she didn't care to look for him.

"There was one," was all she could say.

"Do I need to be worried about him?" Regina continued.

"Nope, doesn't even know." Emma said.

"Do I need to be worried about you, Miss Swan?" Emma asked.

"Absolutely not," Emma said, with a bit of hesitation. She was still suspicious.

"Madame Mayor, you can relax," said the sheriff. "Other than being a tired little boy, Henry's fine."

"Thank you, sheriff."

"I'm sorry he dragged you out of your life," said Regina. "I don't really know what's gotten into him."

"Kid's having a rough time, it happens," said Emma.

"You have to understand," Regina explained. "Ever since I became mayor, balancing things have been tricky. You have a job, I assume?"

Sort of. "Uh, I keep busy."

"Imagine having another one on top of it," said Regina. "That's being a single mom. So I push for order. Am I strict? I suppose. But I do it for his own good. I want Henry to excel in life. You don't think that makes me evil, do you?"

Emma thought for a second. Did Regina not know about Henry's book? Well, in case it was true. Emma said, "No, no I don't think it does."

"Thank you," said Regina.

"I really should be heading back," Emma said.

"Of course."

So Emma got back in her car and started to drive off. Maybe she would come back and investigate later? All this was very suspicious, especially since the clock. Simple spells like that usually work. She then noticed that Henry left the book in her car.

Purposeful? Probably. Maybe it could help if she read it?

Suddenly, she saw a wolf in the road, then she panicked, crashed and fell down.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Snow was out the window, thinking. She didn't want to do this. She didn't trust the Blue Fairy, and she was scared. If she goes through, will she understand the world? Sure, since she isn't cursed, her magic will be intact, but would that be enough? The worst thing about this was leaving her dear Charming. They won't see each other for 28 years! She didn't know if she could handle that.

"I don't want to do this," she said to Charming.

"It has to be you," said Charming.

"I'm not leaving you."

"It's the only way," Charming said. "You'll go in there, you'll be safe from the curse. You'll still have your magic with you."

"He said it will be on her 28th birthday," said Snow.

"What's 28 years when you have eternal love?" Charming asked rhetorically. "I have faith, you will save me as I did you."

The two kissed, and then Snow felt a shock in her stomach.

"What is it?"

"The baby. She's coming!"

Then she heard a ringing bell.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The next day, Emma woke up in a small prison cell, right next to a bald, bearded man wearing a cleaner's uniform.

"What are you looking at, sister?" he said.

"Hey, Leroy, manners, we have a guest," said a mechanic working outside the cell. "So you are Henry's mother? How lovely for him to have you back in his life."

"Actually, I was just dropping him off."

"Don't blame you, they're all brats," said Leroy. "Who needs them?"

"Well, I'd give anything for one," said the old mechanic. He turned back to Emma. "My wife and I, we tried for many years, but it was not meant to be."

"Well, cry me a river," said Leroy, getting annoyed.

"Leroy, if I'm going to let you out, you need to behave," said the sheriff, just walking in. "Put on a smile, stay out of trouble." Leroy put on a clearly fake smile.

"Seriously?" Emma said.

"Regina's drinks, a little stronger than we thought," the sheriff said.

"I wasn't drunk, there was a wolf standing in the middle of the road," Emma said.

"A wolf, right," said the sheriff, sarcastically.

Just then, Regina came into the room. "Graham, Henry's ran away again…" She noticed Emma. "What is she doing here?" She walked over to Emma. "You know where he is?"

"Lady, I haven't seen him since I dropped him off at your house," Emma pointed to the bars. "And I have a really good alibi."

"He wasn't in his room this morning," Regina explained.

"Did you try his friends?"

"He doesn't have any, he's kind of a loner," Regina said. Well, that's one less than Emma does.

"Every kid has friends," Emma said. "Did you check his computer? If he's close to someone, he'd be emailing them.

"And you know this how?"

"Finding people's what I do," Emma said. "How about you guys let me out and I help you find him?"

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Emma, Regina and Graham then went to Henry's computer to find out where he is, but had no luck.

"Smart kid, cleared out his inbox," Emma said. "But I'm smart too. A little hard disc recovery utility I like to use."

"I'm a bit more old-fashioned in my techniques," Graham commented. "Pounding the pavement. Knocking on doors, that sort of thing."

"You're on salary, I get paid for delivery," Emma said. "Pounding the pavement is not a luxury that I get." Emma liked her job as a bail bondsperson, but she always wanted something more. She knew full well if she revealed that she had magic, she'd become the most famous person in the world. But she didn't want that attention, and she always suspected that wherever she came from, they would want to keep their magic a secret.

Emma then found something on the computer. "Huh. There's a receipt for a website. . It's expensive. He has a credit card?"

"He's 10," Regina said.

"Well, he used one." Henry doesn't seem like the guy to do credit card theft, so maybe it was something else. "Let's pull up a transaction record. 'Mary Margaret Blanchard'. Who's Mary Margaret Blanchard?"

"Henry's teacher," Regina said.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Regina and Emma went into Henry's school, and walked to her class. She was not surprised to see them.

"Miss Mills, what are you doing here?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Where is my son?" Regina asked, angrily.

"Henry?" Mary Margaret questioned as Emma walked in. "I assumed he was homesick with you."

"Do you think I'd be here if he was?" Regina asked. Regina pointed to Emma. "Did you give him your credit card so he could find her?"

Mary Margaret turned to Emma. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"I'm his…"

"The woman who gave her up for adoption," Regina interrupted.

Mary Margaret searched her bag.

"You don't know anything about this, do you?" Emma asked.

"No, unfortunately not," Mary Margaret said. "Clever boy. I should never have given him that book."

"What book?" Regina asked, losing her temper. "What are you going on about?"

"Just some old stories I gave him," Mary Margaret said. "As you well know, Henry is a special boy. So smart, so creative, and as you might be aware, lonely. He needed it."

"What he needs is a dose of reality," Regina said. "This is a waste of time." She started to leave.

"Have a nice trip back to Boston," she said to Emma as she left.

"Sorry to bother you," Mary Margaret said. This woman seemed very familiar to her, although Emma had no idea why.

"It's okay, I fear this is partially my fault," Mary Margaret said.

Emma was wondering who Henry thought this woman was. She gave him the book, so she must be important in some way, plus Regina seemed to be more stern with her than she was with Emma, could she be Snow White? Well, obviously Emma still had no idea if this thing was true or not, but she did want to find out.

"Because of the book?" Emma said.

"Yup," Mary Margaret said. "I thought it would help. I mean, what do you think stories are for? These stories, the classics, there's a reason we all know them." Despite being a self-identified witch, Emma had barely read fairytales. She wasn't read them in an old orphanage, and she didn't trust them after Ingrid started reading them to her every night. Maybe she was wrong to do that, but she didn't know yet. "They're a way for us to deal with our world, a world that doesn't always make sense." Understatement. "Henry hasn't had the easiest life."

"Yeah, she's kind of a hardass," Emma said, about Regina.

"No, it's more than her," said Mary Margaret. "He's like any adopted child. He wrestles with that most basic question they all inevitably face. 'Why would anyone give me away?'" Emma thought about this question constantly herself. She had never stopped. She had a guess, maybe whatever magic world she came from was too dangerous for her. But she didn't know. Emma felt a little insulted by the question, and Mary Margaret obviously saw that.

"I am so sorry," Mary Margaret said. "I didn't mean in any way to judge you."

"It's okay," Emma said. She didn't feel that insulted, but she did think she did it for a good reason.

"Look, I gave the book to Henry because I wanted to have the most important thing anyone can have," explained Mary Margaret. "Hope. Believing in the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing."

Emma figured something out. "You know where he is, don't you?"

"You might want to check his castle."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Snow was giving birth at completely the wrong time. Why did it have to be now? Just before a dark curse. This would mean the baby would have to go alone. Probably.

"I can't have this baby now!"

"Doc, do something!" Charming said to the dwarf. "It's going to be okay. The wardrobe's almost finished. Just hold on."

Snow continued to cry out in pain, as Geppetto came in saying, "It's ready."

Charming smiled, but…

"It's too late," said Doc. "We can't move her."

And the baby was born and put in a blanket shortly after that, but this will not go well.

"Then our plan has failed," said Charming. "At least we're together."

Snow had an idea. A stupid idea, one which could definitely go wrong, but an idea never the less. "No, you have to take her! Take the baby to the wardrobe."

"Are you out of your mind?" Charming asked.

"It's the only way, you have to send her through!"

"No, you don't know what you're saying."

"No, I do," said Snow. "We have to believe she'll come back for us! We have to give her her best chance! Goodbye, Emma."

Snow gave Emma to Charming, they kissed, and Charming picked up a sword, and ran out of the room, with Snow hoping he would get there in time.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Mary Margaret was right. Henry was in his 'castle'. By that she meant a tiny playground inside of a beach. Emma walked up to him with the book, she was still interested whether it was true or not. She already knew ridiculous things existed.

"You left this in my car," Emma said. "Still hasn't moved, huh?"

"I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here," Henry said. "That the final battle would begin."

"I'm not fighting any battles, kid," Emma said. Even if what he was saying was true, she didn't think she could be one to fight. Why?

"Yes you are," Henry said. "You're here because it's your destiny. You're supposed to bring back the happy endings."

"Why?" Emma asked. "It's possible that what you're saying is true, judging by what I know, but why does it mean I have to save that world."

"It's your destiny," Henry said. "I didn't choose it."

"Well, I don't believe it, kid," Emma said. "At least not yet."

"I know why you gave me up," Henry said.

Emma gasped. "And why's that?"

"You wanted to give me my best chance?"

This was true. "How do you know that?"

"It's the same reason Snow White gave you away," Henry said.

"And that's why I was abandoned on the side of a freeway, is it?" Emma asked, shouting. "They didn't even bother to drop me off at the hospital! Now how is that a best chance?"

"That's just where you came out," Henry said. "When you went through the wardrobe, you appeared on the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse."

"Of course," Emma said. "Let's go."

Henry got down off the castle as they started to argue more. "Please don't take me back! Just stay for one week, that's all I ask, one week and you'll see I'm not crazy."

Emma looked at him. "Look, I don't think you're crazy." She was sick of this. She's never told anyone, but she has to tell him. Emma checked to see if everywhere was clear. "I think I'm crazy every time I do something like this!" Emma moved the sand, demonstrating what she could do to Henry.

"You can do magic?" Henry said. "Then why don't you believe me?"

"Because there isn't any proof," Emma said. "My magic could've come from anywhere. That book or a million others. It doesn't matter. I have to take you back to your mom."

"You don't know what it's like with her," Henry said. "My life sucks."

Emma was getting pretty angry now. "You wanna know what sucking is? I was raised in the foster system and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own kids, so they sent me away! Look. I know it's hard, and I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you, but at least she wants you. Your best chance isn't with me."

"You have magic," Henry said. "It's small, but it's a start."

"Don't tell a soul," Emma demanded. "Just come on."

Henry started to follow her to Regina's house, very reluctantly though.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Snow ran out onto the hall to make sure everything was fine, but all she saw was her husband, Prince Charming, laying down dead on the floor.

"No, no," Snow said.

It's okay. She could heal him. So she tried. She managed to heal him up a bit, but it wasn't fully working. Only slightly.

"Don't even bother," The Evil Queen Regina said, walking in. "In a few moments you won't even remember you knew him, let alone loved him."

"Why did you do this?"

"Because this is my happy ending!" Regina exclaimed.

Two guards came in, as the Evil Queen turned to them.

"The child?"

"Gone," one of the guards said.

"It was in the wardrobe, and then it was gone," the other one said. "It's nowhere to be found."

The Evil Queen turned back to Snow. "Where is she?"

Snow suddenly felt some happiness. "She got away. You're going to lose. I know that now. Good will always win."

"We'll see about that," Regina said.

The castle started to break up into pieces as Regina laughed maniacally.

"Where are we going?" Snow said.

"Somewhere horrible," said the Queen. "Absolutely horrible. A place where the only happy ending will be mine."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Emma and Henry got back to the house. Regina had the door open as Henry ran in.

"Thank you," Regina said when Henry had gone.

"No problem."

"He seems to have taken quite a shine to you."

Emma laughed. "You know what's kind of crazy? Yesterday was my birthday, and when I blew out the candle on this cupcake I bought myself, I actually made a wish. That I didn't have to be mostly alone on my birthday. And then Henry showed up."

"I hope there's no misunderstanding here."

"I'm sorry?"

"Don't mistake this as an invitation back into his life," Regina said. Why was she assuming this? "Miss Swan, you made a decision 10 years ago. And in the last decade, while you've been, well who knows what you've been doing? I've changed every diaper, soothed every fever, endured every tantrum. You may have given birth to him, but he is my son."

"I was not…"

"No, you don't get to speak," Regina interrupted, rudely. "You don't get to do anything. You gave up that right when you tossed him away. Do you know what a closed adoption is? It's what you asked for. You have no legal right to Henry, and you're going to be held to that, so I suggest you get in that car and you leave this town. Because if you don't, I will destroy you if it's the last thing I do. Goodbye, Miss Swan."

Emma thought for a second. Regina was threatening her. Emma gave him up to give him his best chance. That wasn't with her, but it wasn't with Regina either it looks like. "Do you love him?"

Regina turned round. "Excuse me?"

"Henry. Do you love him?"

"Of course I love him," Regina answered, slamming the door behind her.

Emma used her power to tell that she was telling the truth, but she had just threatened her, so that obviously wasn't enough for Emma. There had to be more, so she drove to the closest inn she could find, Granny's Bed and Breakfast.

"You were going out all night, and now you're going out again," said an old woman.

"I should've moved to Boston!" said a younger red-haired woman, who Emma assumed was her granddaughter.

"Well, I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your way down to the Eastern Seaboard."

"Excuse me," Emma interrupted them arguing. "I'd like a room."

"Really?" the old woman said. Her supposed granddaughter came in. She walked in, obviously sorting stuff out. "Would you like a forest view or a square view? Usually, there's an upgrade fee for the square, but as rent is due, I'll waive it."

"Square is fine, thank you," Emma said.

"Now, what's the name?" the old woman asked.

"Swan. Emma Swan."

"Emma. What a lovely name," said a voice behind her. He had long hair, and a walking stick, and looked like he was staring at her.

"Thanks," Emma said, politely.

"It's all here."

"Yes, of course it is, dearie, thank you," said the man. He turned to Emma. "You enjoy your stay, Emma."

"Who's that?" Emma asked.

"Mr. Gold," said the red-haired woman. "He owns this place."

"The inn?"

"No, the town," corrected the old woman. "So, how long will you be with us?"

"A week," Emma said. "Just a week."

"Great," said the woman. "Welcome to Storybrooke."

Emma saw the room, in this new environment. She thought hard about this time, what was she about to achieve and how? She could potentially find out where she came from, and help her son somehow. She noticed a text from August, and she texted back saying she was fine. She then fell asleep.

So, what do you think? I'll try and get the second chapter out by at least September, but I can't promise anything!