New to town

Torie714 asked for a oneshot of Emma going to the docks to meet a new arrival in town (a boy she survived the streets with). Snowing being overprotective parents and confront her.

Emma pulled her coat around her as she walked along the pier. Autumn had arrived in Storybrooke, and the lukewarm sun barely touched the shore in the mornings. Emma wasn't suspicious about the lone figure at the end of the pier, where everyone else in Storybrooke might be. For he was somebody who had never been in town before. It was Emma that allowed him access to Storybrooke. She saw no other way. She smiled when she was about an arm's length away from the mysterious man. He was clearly around Emma's age, but time had not been as kind to him. His messy brown hair was flecked with grey. He hadn't shaved in weeks, and nor had he cleaned his clothes. His grey eyes darted around mysteriously. Why did Emma require such secrecy around their meeting? He had never heard of this place, although he'd never been to Maine before either.

"Hey Randy." Emma said softly. "Long time no see." The man smiled nervously. He gave a little laugh, rubbing the back of his neck with a grubby hand.

"It has been a while, huh?" He said, his voice hoarse. "I'm sorry to contact you out of the blue like that Emma, but I'd heard through the grapevine that you were a bail bondsperson. That's about as close to the law as I could get. You were the only person who could help me." He said.

"It's fine. I think I owe you more than a few favours." Emma reminded him. She took the holdall she'd slung over her shoulder off and handed it to him. "Here's some essentials to get you started. I've had a word with Granny. She owns the hotel over the diner on Main Street. She'll give you a free room until you find your feet. As well as your meals." Emma told him. Randy couldn't believe his luck. He just hoped Emma might be able to put a good word in for him to the right people. He was sure he was going down for this.

"Won't the cops find me here?" He asked, not daring to be hopeful. Emma smiled.

"That's why I brought you here, Randy." Emma explained. "People from outside of Storybrooke…they don't know we exist. It took a lot to get you inside…"

"Emma." Emma heard a voice from behind her. She turned around to find her parents standing, not looking pleased at all.

"Guys, could you give us a minute?" Emma asked. Snow and Charming didn't move.

"We don't recognise you." Charming said to Randy. "Who are you?"

"Uh, my name's Randy." He said awkwardly. "I'm an old friend of Emma's."

"When I was on the streets at fifteen years old, this guy took me under his wing and stopped God knows what from happening to me." Emma told her parents. "I'm pretty sure I owe him my life, if not my sanity. He wasn't as lucky as me. He didn't get a happy ending. Now I'm letting him find one." Emma explained to her parents. She wasn't backing down on this. Snow and Charming still weren't sure on this. They didn't like that she was sneaking off in the early hours of the morning to meet with a strange man. Although, if she trusted him so much, and he really did help her in such a terrible time, he ought to be given a chance. Both gave a brief nod. Emma smiled gratefully.

"I'll see you at the station, dad." Emma told them.

"Wait, dad?" Randy asked. How could that be? Emma turned and smiled at her old friend.

"We might have a little bit more to talk about before you settle in."