You Have the Right to Remain Silent

It had been three weeks since Regina and Emma had their big little spat. They had avoided each other like the plague as well as anyone living together could. Emma hated it. Hated it with her whole heart, and she, for the first time in a long time, didn't feel like she knew Regina. Regina was quiet, speaking only when she had to or when she was spoken to. She continued to go on her morning routine walks, and to Emma, the worst sound in the world was that front door closing every morning with Regina on the other side while they were still at odds.

This morning, Regina decided to change it up. The diner gave her a bad vibe and instead of sitting inside, she headed toward the water where she always felt comfortable. She hadn't really gotten down close to the bay much since Emma brought her down there last summer. Thankfully the snow had melted mostly, making the path walkable, and Regina could enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face and she strolled past the lines of boats and fisheries that littered this side of town.

She was so confused by all of this. Daniel definitely had a larger part in her life than anyone truly wanted to tell her. But was the truth really that hard to swallow in that everyone was trying to hide it from her? Even herself? She finally just figured the man in her dreams was in fact Daniel. It was the only thing that made sense but she still couldn't or didn't want to piece together why he was so important.

She took out her journal, now looking like a big black book of lies and deceit, and chunked it into the bay. With a heavy plump it rippled the water and sank to the bottom. As she stood there a moment she could feel a sudden rise of panic overcoming her. The book had been her crutch since August, and now it was gone. But she had to be honest with herself and believe that it caused more problems than it fixed, and if there was anything else crazy that was going to happen in her life she would need to deal with it in reality.

As she wandered around she realized she knew exactly where she was and when she looked up, she saw the boat. I was still in it's shambled frame, paint chipping, sails non existent, and just as cute as the day Emma presented it to her. It was one of the smaller boats in the area it was docked but Regina felt a wave of comfort being near it, much like she did when she was around Emma. But it looked much like their relationship felt in the last few weeks. The paint had chipped away, sails ripped, torn, and fallen in a heap on the deck, and no visible signs of steering. It had been through hell, and the only way to bring it back to life was a little bit of elbow grease.

If she was being truly honest with herself, she was being too hard on Emma. The woman had done nothing but protect her, take care of her, and make sure she had everything she needed to be comfortable and she had repaid her with distrust and blame. She wished Emma would have just talked to her, but she had found herself in a situation where that was not the case. She blamed herself, for shutting Emma out for so long, she figured she was also trying to protect Emma, but they seemed to have both pushed each other away. They had both made mistakes, but she needed to forgive Emma just as she needed to forgive herself.

The boat in front of her began to rock suddenly, a grunt coming from somewhere below deck, and when the door to the inside of the boat came flying open and slamming against the wooden deck.

A small man, smaller than average, emerged from the boat, a bottle of some kind of alcohol in his hand and less dressed than Regina would have liked stumbled up the stairs onto the deck. "Regina?" The man spoke as he hoisted himself up and over the edge of the boat, noticing her standing alone on the dock below him. He swung his legs over the edge of the boat landing heavily on the wooden dock in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

Regina looked around her, hoping that someone else would stumble upon this situation, because she knew no one would believe her when she told it later.

"Leroy!" he motioned to himself, sparking Regina's memory of who he was. She had only really seen him in passing but she remembered Emma told her she had purchased this boat from him.

"Leroy, yes! How are you doing?" Regina asked politely.

Leroy smiled and suddenly realizing the state he was in, his cheeks flushed and he quickly hid the bottle of booze behind his back. "Uh, fine." He smiled awkwardly.

"I was just going for a walk and ended up this way. I remember the boat from last summer. I guess Emma has been a little too busy to work on it." Regina stated solemnly.

Leroy looked at her longingly, but agreed.

"Can I ask you something?" Regina finally asked him as he tried to clean himself up.

"Sure thing." He answered back distractedly.

"What exactly did Emma have planned for us with this? She had to have some kind of idea." Regina asked him politely.

"It's been so long, ma'am, I don't even think I could remember." He answered plainly.

Regina's shoulders drooped and she nodded in understanding. "Does she still own the boat? Or did she give it back to you?" Regina inquired.

Leroy looked at the boat and then back and Regina. "She paid me a deposit but technically it's not officially hers. The deposit has held it here until she decides whether or not to keep it."

"How much more does she need to pay for it?"

Leroy gave her a worried look. "About four grand."

Regina's jaw dropped in shock. "Oh, Emma." She looked back at the misshapen thing bobbing in the water. It would take that much or more to even fix the thing up and get it sea ready. She knew from her father that these boats were not cheap. They were as expensive if not more so than houses. Her mind filled with ideas, and in a rush of adrenaline she pulled out her checkbook wrote out the total, with a little extra.

"Here." Regina handed him the check. "There's the full amount and then some extra for your help in fixing it up." She stated matter of factly, staring those large brown eyes at all the possibilities of this boat.

"But, Ms. Mills this is too much…"

She held her hand out and cut him off. "Leroy, I am going to fix up this boat if it's the last thing I do. Now either you are going to help me or you're going to help me." She eyed him and with a quick wink he obliged and they went to work.

"Go Henry!" Emma shouted from the bleachers as Henry drained a long three-pointer, tying their rival team midway through the last quarter of his basketball game. A win in this game would automatically send them to the playoffs, no matter what the rest of the season looked like. Henry had been awake studying plays for the last two nights, making sure he knew exactly what they needed to do and how to do it. She had found him on multiple occasions passed out on his bed with papers spread out everywhere, and she warned him that sleep was just as important as studying so that he was well rested and physically ready for the game.

Regardless, he was doing fantastic tonight and Emma was so excited for him. Emma had poured all her energy into Henry these last few weeks, seeing as she had no idea how to navigate Regina right now. They had been cordial, but not good on anyone's standards. Emma spent as little time at the house as she could, but all the while feeling completely at fault just like everything else, so when it came to Henry, she sure didn't want to disappoint him. Without him at this point, she would have nothing.

As she became enthralled in the game, someone came and sat next to her in the bleachers. It was Regina, and she looked like she had just spent the day doing manual labor.

Emma eyed her curiously. "I didn't think you would come." She stated plainly, keeping her attention on the game.

Regina sighed, glancing over at Emma but paying her attitude no attention. "I've never missed one of Henry's games, so I didn't think I would start today. But, I'm sorry I'm super late." She noticed that there were only about five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

They remained quiet, and before long the game was down to the final minute and all hope seemed lost for Storybrooke High. They were down by ten, the crowd, including Emma and Regina, could no longer sit down and calmly watch the game. Every play mattered. Emma watched Henry as he leaned over his knees in their huddle, completely exhausted from this battle of a game.

"Come on Henry." She muttered under her breath. The teams dispersed from their timeout, Henry and the team going to work and in a matter of thirty seconds, they were within four points. It was as if some kind of switch flipped in their last timeout and they came out swinging. Henry was hitting all of his free throws, his team supporting him and doing their jobs. Emma couldn't believe her eyes.

This was it. Six seconds left and now down by only two points. They needed a lane shot to take them into overtime or a three pointer to win. Storybrooke's ball. Henry's ball, Henry's decision. There hadn't been a freshman superstar like this one in many years for Storybrooke. Small town teams don't often have big time players, but this was going to be a new year. Emma was sure of it! And her son was at the helm, leading the way.

Henry got the inbound ball, and even with six seconds he looked so calm, cool, and collected. Meanwhile the crowd was going crazy! Telling him to hurry, telling him to shoot, Emma just wanted them to shut up.

He jogged to half court and then took off, he looked like he was going for the tie, but then in a split decision he pulled back suddenly, stepped behind the three point line, and as the ball arched the final buzzer went off, Emma instinctively grabbed ahold of Regina's hand next to her, and the ball went through nothing but net.

Emma and the crowd went crazy! She jumped with excitement, screaming with joy, hands up in the air in victory. Storybrooke had won by one point, sealing their spot in the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years. The team sprinted toward Henry, dog piling him in the center of the court, and a few kids from the bleachers joined in as the gym went crazy. The opposing team hung their head in defeat as everyone celebrated and as the coaches were able to calm the kids, they all respectfully shook hands before continuing their celebrations.

As the crowd calmed and the team was able to debrief after the game, Emma, Regina, and the other parents waited patiently close by in order to celebrate. Emma and Regina kept to themselves, small talking to the other parents but never to each other. When the boys finally started to their parents, the crowd thinned and Emma excitedly wrapped Henry in his arms.

"Oh my gosh, kid, I am so proud of you!" She squeezed him as hard as she could, then released him and kissed him on his sweaty forehead.

"Thanks, Mom! Regina, I'm so glad you came!" He released his mother and hugged Regina.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. You were amazing!" She hugged him tightly.

He stepped back and looked between them, smiling at his family that despite everything he was so proud of. "I have to go get my stuff, but when I get back, can we go get ice cream?"

"Sure thing, kid!" Emma answered excitedly. "We'll go wait by the car for you."

He darted off quickly to the locker rooms. As soon as he was out of the gym, Emma's smile immediately left her face and she quickly headed for the door, Regina following close behind her as they made their way out the doors of the school.

"So, are you coming to ice cream?" Emma finally asked without turning around to face her.

Regina furrowed her eyebrows. "Why wouldn't I?" She asked confused.

"Oh I don't know, I figured you had a date with Daniel or something." Emma crossed her arms, avoiding Regina's eyes.

"What exactly do you think happened between us?" Regina defended herself. Moving dramatically to look Emma in the eye.

Emma rolled her eyes. "How do I know? You never talk to me about anything. So I allow my imagination to run wild." She said with attitude this time.

Regina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Emma, we've been over this. Nothing happened. We talked a few times at the diner, that was it… I don't know what else to tell you."

Behind them a whirl of a sound went off and as they turned around, their hearts beating heavily from the surprise, they saw Graham rolling up in his sheriff's vehicle. The two women felt a twinge of relaxation fall over them as they didn't have to be alone together and continue to argue.

"Hey, Graham!" Emma said happily, masking her frustration, as he came around his car and headed in their direction. "Come to celebrate the boys win? They made the playoffs!" She felt the pressure of burying her feelings beneath the excitement of the night.

"Emma. Regina." Graham greeted them both with a nod of his brimmed hat.

"Hello, Graham. Good to see you." Regina answered cordially.

A thin smile forced across Graham's face. "Uh, I hate to bother you but, Emma, can I talk to you for a second." He glanced up at Regina standing behind Emma and then back at Emma with a worried look.

Emma turned back to Regina, who gave her a lost look, then quickly returned her gaze to Graham. "About what?"

"I really insist we talk about this in private." He started.

"Graham!" Henry's bounded over to the Sheriff and wrapped his arms around his neck. "We won!" He released him excitedly. Graham patting him fatherly on his shoulder.

"That's awesome bud. Your moms were just telling me how great you did!" He played along.

Henry smiled big. "You should come get ice cream with us!" Henry offered.

Graham smiled at his innocence, but Emma could see a hint of worry behind his eyes. "Actually, I need to talk to your mom real quick. Can I take a rain check this time?" He asked.

"Yeah, sure thing." Henry answered, oblivious to the previous tension that was still lingering over the three adults.

They all stood there a moment, until Graham finally broke the awkward silence. "Uh… Emma?" He motioned his head over to the car and then meandered over to it.

Emma sighed and turned to Regina. "Do you mind taking Henry to the car?" She gave Regina her keys before turning toward Graham, but before she could get far, she felt a hand grab onto her wrist. When she turned, Regina looked at her sternly, worriedly. For a split second Emma felt like this was normal. Like she was looking into the beautiful face of her wife and everything was perfect, but unfortunately the worry flooded her too. Emma squeezed Regina's hand and gave her a reassuring smile, then turned and headed over to Graham nervously.

"What's the big deal?" Emma joked as she approached Graham leaning up against his car. He pushed himself up, a sigh released from his lungs, and he gave Emma a solemn look but remained silent. "God, you look like someone died."

Graham didn't answer.

"Oh my God. did someone die?" Emma suddenly became worried. "Graham?" Her voice peaked.

"Emma I'm really sorry about this." Graham moved slowly toward her, the handcuffs clinging together as he pulled them out of his pocket. "You are under arrest… "

"Graham stop. That's not funny." Emma scoffed at him jokingly.

"...for the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Mills." He grabbed a hold of her wrist, and Emma's joking demeanor quickly changed to horror as she ripped her arm from his. "You have the right to remain silent…"

"Graham? What… what are you doing?" She started backing away from him as he took another step toward her.

"...anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law." He reached out again.

She swatted his hand away. "No. What are you doing?" Her eyes darted around as a few straggling parents were looking at the strange encounter.

"You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you…" Graham continued, his face flat of emotion.

Emma's eyes became hot with tears and terror. She had no idea what was going on. Daniel? Kidnap? Murder? What the hell?

Graham got a hold of her wrist once again and the cold metal of the handcuff latched around her skin. "Graham, are you seriously doing this? Right now. In front of my kid?" Henry. Emma's eyes darted up suddenly, she made eye contact with Regina who had just as horrific of a look on her face, but she didn't move. Emma tried to find Henry with her eyes, and finally found him behind the car, the back trunk blocking his view from his mother getting arrested. Emma shook her head in terror and Regina reacted immediately.

Then Graham pulled Emma close to him suddenly. "Please." His voice shook. "Don't make this hard."

Emma swallowed hard, but realizing she had no other options, she allowed Graham to handcuff her arms behind her back and help her into the backseat of his car.

Regina, in a panic ran to the trunk where Henry was trying to get all of his bags to fit, and tried to act as naturally as possible. She pulled her phone out and pretended she just received a text message.

"Oh, shoot, your mom just text me." Regina was shaking in her panic mode, but thankfully Henry didn't seem to notice.

Henry looked up at her confused. "Really?" He leaned to look around the trunk, but Regina quickly grabbed him.

"Uh, she said that Graham needed her to fill out some paperwork at the station so she can't go get ice cream." Regina's nerves were on fire. She was sweating, heart racing, but she shoved it all down deep so Henry wouldn't catch on to something being wrong. That was the best excuse she could muster at this point.

"That's weird. Are you sure? Why didn't she just come and say something?" Henry looked at her confused and again tried to look around the trunk but Regina kept him from seeing.

"How's about I take you home, you shower, and then by the time you are done, I'm sure your mom will be done and we can go get some ice cream after." Regina peeked over the trunk and noticed the sheriff's car was gone and quickly breathed a sigh of relief, but sucked in another of worry just the same.

Henry obliged to the new plan and they rode in silence on the way home. Regina checked her phone every time the car came to a stop, waiting impatiently for a text from Emma, or a call from Graham or something to tell her what the hell was going on.

Emma remained silent as Graham escorted her through the police station. It was like everything was in slow motion as her senses intensified. Graham's boots echoed in her brain, the monotonous checkered floor she stared at blended into one grey mass, her hair falling down on tickling her cheeks which she couldn't reach considering her hands were still locked behind her. She could feel the eyes of every other person in that station stop and stare at her as they went through the front lobby. She felt like an animal at a zoo, or some ugly alien creature that nobody had ever seen and the longer they looked the more confused they became. She was almost relieved when they finally entered the empty interrogation room and out of view of the spectators.

The room was small and smelled of metal. Emma hated it instantly. One wall on the back was made of large pane of glass that clearly reflected the two of them in the room, one of those windows where you could see yourself but not the people who were probably watching you on the other side. Emma was shaking. Fear completely overtaking her.

"Have a seat please." Graham said plainly as the pressure of the cuffs fell from Emma's wrists.

Emma rubbed her wrists, the redness already forming in a thin ring on both wrists, but didn't sit. She couldn't. How could she just relax and sit down in a chair. That was a stupid assumption of Graham to think she could do that at this moment. Graham stood with his back to her, hands on his hips and his head slumped down toward the ground. He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Graham…" Emma finally gained some courage to speak. "Are you going to tell me why you decided to arrest me at my own son's basketball game?" She asked softly but firmly.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "We found Daniel's body washed up on the south side of the bay this morning." He finally turned to face her, but she could tell he didn't want to look at her directly.

Emma's jaw dropped to the floor and she felt like the wind had been sucked out from her lungs. There was a lump the size of her fist in her throat and the silence filled the room.

"Emma, I need you to convince me that you didn't have anything to do with this." Graham blurted out, leaning over onto the table.

"Graham are you kidding me? I would never do that." She defended herself.

Graham looked at her knowingly. "Damn it, Emma!"

"Oh my god!" Emma felt completely sick to her stomach. "You honest to god think that I am capable of something like that?"

"What else am I supposed to think?" He went savage an d slammed his hands down on the table. Emma jumped back at the sudden explosion. She tried to speak but he quickly cut her off. "You come in here, assault the victim, you come in here and threaten to kill him, more than once I might add, all the while I sat here… and…" Graham's voice became emotional. He hid his face. "He was my best friend." The tears escaped his eyes and flowed down his cheeks. Emma dared not approach him but could see how much he was hurting. Realizing he had let himself go, Graham quickly stood and collected himself, his tone lower back to its seriousness. "Emma, you need a lawyer." He refused to look at her as he brushed by her and out the door, leaving her in the room alone.

Regina paced the living room floor, staring down at her cell phone for what seemed like hours. It was already close to midnight. Henry had long gone to bed. Regina found him asleep on the couch shortly after he got out of his shower while they waited to hear from Emma. She rose him sweetly, kissed him on the forehead and took him up to bed. She could tell he was disappointed, but she had no way of explaining to him what had happened after the game. She didn't want to burden him with it.

As the minutes ticked past midnight, Regina couldn't take it any longer. She peered up the stairs, not a sound coming from Henry's room, so she grabbed her jacket and hustled out of the house. He would be fine while she went to check on Emma.

She drove too fast down main street as the empty town looked more like a ghost town. The dark night of winter grew shadows that made Regina uneasy. She literally saw Emma get arrested earlier tonight. She didn't want to admit it to herself, and she wanted to pinch herself and hope that she was dreaming. Maybe this was a new set of nightmares that were happening. She would have rather the old one.

The tires of her silver BMW came to a screeching halt in the empty parking lot of the sheriff's station. The low yellow glow of the light situated above the front door dimly lit up the lot as she walked quickly up to the entrance. As she got closer, her nerves grew, and she ended up sprinting through the set of doors and up to the counter. The plump, rose cheeked officer behind the desk stood in his dim desk light to greet her.

"Mrs. Mills?" He greeted her nervously.

"Where is Sheriff Graham?" She asked a bit out of breath.

"In his office, but he's…"

Regina was off down the hallway before he could finish. He heard him calling her name but paid no attention to it. The station was a small, dimly lit thing. The walls were an ugly tan color, the doors dark grey making the hallways look more like a prison than a police station. There were only four cells in the back room, each one of them currently empty and two desks sat empty in the middle of the large room, no doubt the lookouts for whoever needed to spend the night in one of the cells. Regina could hear muffled voices down another hall and headed that way quickly.

"Regina?"

She heard her name as she passed by a small office, lit up only by the lamp on the edge of the desk. Graham rose quickly and met her at the door as she retreated back.

"Where is Emma?" She asked immediately.

"She's talking with her lawyer." He grabbed her gently by the arm and escorted her in his office.

Regina looked at him confused. "Graham, what is going on?"

"I think it's time we talked." He said calmly as he allowed Regina to sit.

Then, he talked, and she listened.