Filling the void

GrantL1991 asked for a oneshot of Emma being drunk and her dad having to come when she's reported for being drunk and disorderly. When they get home, she gets angry and starts having an argument with him. This leads to Charming having to arrest her. At the station, Emma breaks down leading to "Daddy Charming".

Tonya and Shrek's fiona: you're the same person.

JRocks: you were given a response to this request at the time.

As Charming steadily made his way to Aesop's Table, he decided to himself that the station would soon be hiring a new officer. Someone who would feel less conflict of interest at having to go deal with Emma when she's gone in too heavy with the shots and was refusing to leave the bar. Charming knew it had been a long week for Emma. Henry had left for college, and she was feeling a little hole beginning to form in her heart. It was only natural. In ways, he and Snow had felt the same when Emma had moved into her own place, even though she was only living five minutes away.

Charming sighed as he parked the cruiser and headed inside, getting taken by the bouncer to the small cloakroom they were holding Emma in until the authorities arrived. Charming winced. Even over the loud music blaring through the whole joint, he could still hear Emma yelling at whatever poor unfortunate soul was stuck keeping an eye on her. He could just about make out that Emma was telling them that her dad was the police officer, and he would arrest them all for cutting her off.

"Oh will I now?" Charming asked sternly as he entered the room. Emma grinned lazily at him.

"Hey dad!" She greeted him merrily. She sauntered up to him, swaying slightly, and leaned against him. "Good timing. I was just telling Terry here that you'd be reeeeeeal mad at them for cutting me off."

"Actually, Em. I agree with them. I think you've had enough." Charming said, taking Emma's arm off him. Emma stumbled back, both in surprise and through losing him as a balance beam. She looked at him, horrified.

"Excuse me?" She squeaked. "Who are any of you to tell me how I should spend my money?! If I want to get absolutely wasted, I will! Fuck you all, I'm going to the Rabbit Hole!" Emma yelled. Charming gave the staff an apologetic and embarrassed look before hurrying after Emma. He swiftly took hold of her upper arm and began to steer her towards the parking lot. All the while, Emma screamed obscenities at him. She was clearly trying to engage him in an argument, but Charming was having none of it. Although, by the time they reached the cruiser, he had reached his breaking point. Instead of putting her in the front passenger seat, he put Emma into the back of the vehicle.

"I think a little night in the station might help you cool off." Charming said sternly. This did little to make Emma calm down. Still, Charming ignored her all the way to the station, and as he brought her to the cell. He closed her inside with a bottle of water and a couple of aspirin.

"Sleep it off, Emma. I'll see you in the morning." Charming said, turning to leave the station.

"Don't you get it? There is no sleeping it off! Sure, tomorrow I'll wake up not drunk, but have a killer hangover, and I'll still miss Henry!" Emma yelled before collapsing onto the bench in the cell in tears. Finally. Charming thought. Now they were getting somewhere. He walked back over to the cell and unlocked it again. Emma didn't even notice. She was too caught up in her own grief. Charming sat on the space beside her on the bench. He pulled Emma up and cradled her head against his chest. Emma kept weeping against him.

"He's gone." She whimpered. "Things will never be the same."

"No, not exactly." Charming said honestly. "But that doesn't mean they won't be good. Henry's still in Maine. He's coming home every other weekend. That's more than a lot of parents get. He calls pretty regularly too. Henry isn't leaving you for good, Em. He was bound to grow up and start to make a life for himself, but that doesn't mean he's leaving you." Charming assured her. He knew that one of Emma's greatest insecurities was being abandoned. Who could blame her for it after the life she had led? He kissed the top of her head. Then, he helped her to her feet. "I think, like you said, your hangover will be punishment enough for your behaviour tonight. Come on, you can stay in your room at our place." Charming offered her. "Maybe being alone tonight isn't such a great idea for you." Charming wrapped an arm around Emma's shoulders. She had to know that she was still loved. That there were still plenty of people left who cared about her. Maybe a few days back at home might help her remember that.