Agony Aunt

A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma continually going and opening up to Red when needed. Red enjoys bonding with her goddaughter, but becomes concerned and tries to find out why. She finds out it's because Snow is too busy of late with baby Neal and Charming at the station. She confronts them.

Red frowned as she watched Emma leave the diner. That had been the fifth time in just a few weeks that Emma had come to her for advice over a situation. It was clear she wasn't just going to Red for a second, or even third, opinion. She was only going and opening up to her about whatever was bothering her. Not that Red minded the bonding opportunities it provided for her with her should-have-been goddaughter, but it did trouble her slightly. Why wasn't Emma going to either of her parents with these issues? Red decided that next time Emma came to her with a problem, Red would ask why it was her Emma was choosing to go to.

Red didn't have to wait long for her opportunity. Emma came to her with another conundrum about four days later. Red first talked Emma through things, then broached the subject.

"Emma, have you talked to either of your parents about this?" She asked. Emma shook her head.

"No, just you, why?" Emma asked.

"Oh…I was just wondering, is all. Guess I thought I might be a third opinion over a first." Red explained.

"Nah. Mom's got her hands full with Neal, and dad's taking on more duties at the station so I can focus on being a more full time Saviour so they're both pretty busy." Emma explained. "Thanks again, Red. I'll see you later." Emma said with a smile as she left. Red felt even more troubled now. She had to talk to her two friends about how Emma was feeling.

Knowing Emma wasn't going to be round at her parents' house that same night, Red popped round for a quick visit after Neal's bedtime.

"Something's bothering you." Snow said as soon as Red came in the house. She knew her friend inside out. Red nodded as she sat down in their living room.

"Emma." Red said. "She's been coming to see me a lot recently with issues she's been having." Red began to explain. This caught Snow and Charming's attention.

"Issues?" Charming asked. "What issues? Is Emma alright? Why hasn't she told us?" He asked.

"That's the million-dollar question." Red sighed. "I finally asked her that earlier today. She said you're both too busy. You looking after Neal, Snow. And you at the station, Charming. I'm not judging or anything, I just think you both might want to make sure you give her some time." Red explained.

"We've never once said we were too busy to talk to her." Snow said. "In fact, we make sure we at least call her every day and ask her how's she's doing. I appreciate that's what she's told you, Red, but that's a bullshit excuse." Snow said, hurt. Why was Emma not coming to them.

"Ah." Red said, feeling embarrassed. "Well, I guess that's for you guys to sort out. I'll see you around. Give Neal a kiss for me." Red said, excusing herself. Snow and Charming now felt dreadful. What was going on with Emma?

They themselves went round to her house the next day to talk with her about it. She looked surprised to see them.

"Hey guys?" She said, letting them in. "Where's Neal? And shouldn't you be at the station, dad?" She asked. Snow and Charming glanced at each other.

"Neal's with Ashley for a couple of hours." Snow explained.

"And I'm on a break." Charming added. "We came to talk with you. Red came to see us. She said you've been talking to her a lot about problems you've been having." Emma felt tense now.

"And that you haven't been talking to us about the same problems because I'm too busy with Neal, and your father is too busy at the station. What's going on, Emma?" Snow asked her.

"I just…didn't want to get in your way." Emma explained. "Being a full time mom is difficult, and dad, you're still adjusting to not having me around as much. I didn't want to cause more bother."

"Emma." Charming sighed. "You're our daughter. Your problems are never some burden on us." Charming told her.

"I know it's just…you have more important things to be dealing with. I'm fine, really." Emma tried to assure them, but that wasn't enough for the parents.

"More important things? Emma, you're our daughter! Nothing comes above family for us." Snow told her. Emma rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably.

"I can see I've obviously made an error of judgement." Emma admitted. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to be helpful."

"Well next time, be helpful and tell your parents what's wrong." Snow gently told her off. "We can handle it." Emma nodded. Maybe she had been silly to assume they'd be too busy.