Hello : ) I know it's been a while, but I got a case of writer's block with this story, and I've only just managed to break through it ; )
Now, before we get to the chapter, there's something you all need to know. I got a few people that complained about the fact that I called Killian's Storybrooke counterpart 'Colin', which is fine - I mean, constructive criticism is welcome here. But the volume of people unhappy about me using the actual actor's name made me realise that I really needed to change it.
To that end, I started looking names up on the internet, trying to find one that I liked. I was hoping that in season seven, Cursed Hook would have a name, but he doesn't, or at least not a first name. So it was up to me, and I didn't just want any random name. I wanted a name that meant something, and I particularly wanted a name for him that was connected to water.
So, Killian Jones' Storybrooke counterpart in this story is now known as Wade Rogers.
Wade because it was the only boy's name that was connected to water which I actually like, and Rogers in honour of the season seven character Officer Rogers. Now, I've gone back and edited chapters 5 and 6 with this name change, and whilst you're welcome to read them again if you want to, you don't have to as content wise, they're exactly the same, other than Colin is now called Wade.
I just wanted to let you guys know that, otherwise you might all confused when reading this chapter : )
Anyway, please remember that Once Upon A Time is not owned by me.
I hope you enjoy this chapter : )
Gone Again
Regina hardly slept that night.
She had spent some time trying and failing, tossing and turning about in her bed, but no matter how hard she wished for sleep, her troubled thoughts just wouldn't stop pestering her.
In the end, she just couldn't stand trying any more.
Now, several hours later, Regina was sitting at her dinning room table, her elbows propped up on its surface, her face in her hands as she tried to calm her panicked heart and alarming thoughts.
She'd be trying all night, and not having much success.
And the reason for Regina's panic and alarm was one singular person.
Emma Swan.
The woman that had given birth to her son.
Regina glared at the table so heatedly that it was a miracle that the mahogany wood didn't burst into flames. She couldn't help it though, because she was absolutely livid.
How dare that woman come here?
Who the hell did she think she was, just waltzing back into Henry's life ten years after tossing him away?
She was Henry's mother.
Her and her alone.
And if Emma Swan thought differently to that, then she was in for a rude awakening. Deep down though, Regina's logical side knew that it wasn't really Miss Swan's fault that Henry had gone off to find her.
But Regina didn't want logic to make her reasonable.
She wanted Emma Swan out of Storybrooke as soon as was physically possible.
It wasn't just the fact that Miss Swan had given birth to Henry either. Regina wanted her gone for another reason.
Strangers never came to Storybrooke. Ever. That was exactly how Regina liked it, because whilst that held true, it meant that nothing ever changed in Storybrooke, and her power was absolute.
But then - how had a stranger arrived?
Kurt and Owen Flynn had only managed it because the town had been created around them when the curse first brought them all into this realm.
It should have been impossible for Miss Swan to even see the town, nevermind cross over into it. Regina thought about how that could have happened.
Her blood turned to ice in her veins as one particularly unpleasant answer came to her.
No.
No way.
It couldn't be!
But...
Yesterday had marked a very important day for the history of Storybrooke. Although nobody in the town but her was aware of it, yesterday had marked the town's twenty-eighth anniversary of existence.
And the prophecy said that she'd come on her twenty-eighth year...
No.
Regina shook herself violently, trying to rid herself of that terrible thought.
She forcefully reminded herself that she had won.
That was all there was too it. She had won and everyone else had lost, and that was exactly how it was going to stay.
There would be no saviour, no matter what the prophecy said.
Besides, there was no proof that Miss Swan even was the so-called saviour. For all Regina knew, the timing could just be a coincidence.
Still, Emma Swan needed keeping an eye on, if only because Regina didn't want Henry anywhere near that woman.
Regina nodded to herself.
She'd keep an eye on Miss Swan, and hope that in a few days she would leave and never come back, and be out of her hair for good.
She had just come to this decision as the first rays of sunlight began spilling through the windows.
Sighing, Regina picked herself up from her chair, and went to start making breakfast for herself and her son. And once they were done, she and Henry would have a good long talk.
Everything was going to be fine.
Miss Swan wasn't going to cause her any problems.
Regina wouldn't let her.
When Emma's eyes fluttered open the next morning, it took her a few seconds to figure out why she was looking up at the ceiling of one of Granny's rooms at the inn, instead of that of her room at the loft.
At first her sluggish mind came up with the theory that her magic was playing up, and that she had accidently transported herself in her sleep.
Her control over her powers was still rather erratic after all.
But as her mind fully began to awaken, the memories of the previous day fell on Emma like a thunderstorm.
Her eyes widened in horror.
All but flinging herself from the bed, Emma darted across the room, hurried into the ensuite bathroom, and promptly threw up into the toilet.
Gasping, Emma eventually retracted her head, and wiped the vomit off her chin.
She sank to her knees in despair.
Emma tried her best to hold them in, but the saviour just couldn't stop the tears that fell from her eyes and trailed across her cheeks. A choked sob escaped her lips.
She was alone. Again.
Her son, her parents, her friends, her potential lover... all of them gone.
God, if she had known just how awful this felt - going back to being alone again - well... she'd never have even considered leaving Storybrooke after defeating the Wicked Witch.
She knew now that she'd never have been able to bare the pain of it.
A family.
She finally had a family, and now she'd lost it all again, thanks to this whole bloody time-travel crap.
Her loved ones had never even known her now.
More tears fell from her eyes.
Emma wished like hell that she could take it all back. That she had never expressed a desire to return to New York with Henry.
Perhaps this was her punishment.
All her life, she'd longed for a family, yet she'd been willing to turn her back on them simply because she was terrified. Terrified of the possibility of a happy future with people that really loved her.
On some level, it was understandable.
Emma had never had people that loved her before, so it was very daunting for her to suddenly have that. But now she was stuck in the past again, without that love once more.
And it killed her.
It simply killed her.
Another sob of despair escaped Emma.
Yesterday she had just taken everything on the chin.
Now though... now it was getting to her.
How could life be so cruel to her?
She must have done something really terrible in a past life to constantly be punished for it in this one. All she wanted was the chance to be happy.
Was that really too much to ask for?
Emma took a few strained gasps to try and get some air back into her lungs.
She knew that she couldn't do... this. She couldn't fall apart.
Struggling to get her breathing and her tears under control, eventually Emma's sobs died down into the occasional sniffle. Forcing her legs to co-operate, Emma managed to stagger back to her feet.
Emma looked into the mirror in the bathroom, and winced.
Her eyes were a clear sign that she'd been crying. She decided there and then that she had to do better.
Emma refused to be weak.
It was a luxury she'd never had before and she didn't have that luxury now either.
All she needed was a plan after all. The only trouble was, Emma still wasn't sure which path it was that she really wanted to plan for.
Return to her own place in time, or stay here and take this second chance?
A miserable sigh slipped her lips.
Emma might not even have a choice in that. If she had magic here, in this time, before Rumplestiltskin brought magic to Storybrooke, then yes - it was possible she could get back to her own time.
If she didn't, she was screwed.
Well, screwed until the curse broke, but by then it would be too late.
Already she was finding that the smallest changes had consequences, meaning that if she stayed here for a year, a lot of stuff would change, whether she wanted it to or not.
And if so much did in fact change, than the time that she'd come from, wouldn't even exist.
Emma rubbed her temples, feeling the on-set of a headache building.
Right now she just had to focus on getting through today without changing to much. Today was the day she'd first met her mother, and the first day upon which she'd really started to connect with her son.
It was important that she didn't screw either of those things up.
Bracing herself for what no doubt promised to be a challenge, Emma decided it was time to take on the day.
Regina was struggling not to fly into a panic, when panic was threatening to consume her.
Henry wasn't in his room.
He was nowhere in the rest of the house either.
Obviously he had run away again, and more than likely trying to find Miss Swan. And if Henry didn't know that Miss Swan hadn't left town last night, than he was likely trying to get to Boston again.
Regina shivered at the idea of her sweet, innocent son walking the streets of a city he didn't know, where anything could happen to him.
She was just praying that she was wrong, and that Henry was still somewhere in Storybrooke.
It was based on that prayer that she was currenty racing down the halls of the sheriff's station. She passed the town's drunk, Leroy, who was leaving without sparing him a glance.
"Graham!" she cried upon entering the area where Graham's office and the cells were, "Henry's run away again. We have to find him".
Graham turned to her, surprise and worry etched into his face.
"He's gone missing again?" he repeated in shock.
"Yes!" Regina cried in anguish, "And I'm afraid that he might have gone to Boston again, to find Miss Swan".
"But Miss Swan is still in Storybrooke" Graham frowned in confusion.
Regina tilted her head. How could Graham possibly know that... unless of course he'd eavesdropped on her conversation with Miss Swan the previous night.
She'd have his badge if he had.
"How do you know that?" she demanded, her tone hardening.
"I spoke to her last night" he shrugged at her, not getting why she cared but knowing her well enough not to invoke her temper by asking, "Seems a nice enough woman. I told her that if she needed a bed for the night she should go to Granny's".
Regina nodded slowly, accepting that answer.
"Then we should go there first" she said decisively, "And if Henry's with her, I want her arrested on kidnapping charges. Henry is my son, not her's, and I don't want anyone to forget that".
"Of course, Madam Mayor" Graham nodded dutifully.
They both left the sheriff's station, both of them hoping that Henry was safe and sound.
Emma walked into the diner, hoping that she looked more composed than she felt. She sat in one of the booths, and almost immediately, Ruby glided over, wished her a good morning, before she started reading the menu out to her.
Emma couldn't help but smile at the idea of food.
She'd lost track of how long it had been since she'd last eaten, but she was bloody starving now.
Food in her belly would do her the world of good.
Once her order had been placed, Ruby darted off again, and not ten minutes later Emma's order arrived, a steamy hot stack of Granny's homemade pancakes, yum!
She was so busy tucking into them, that she didn't notice the door open behind her, or the familiar figure that walked in.
"Ah!" a voice chuckled, making Emma jump, "So last night wasn't just a wonderful dream, and you actually are real".
Emma couldn't help but smile.
God, even the effect just this man's voice had on her astonished her. But Emma couldn't help it. She just found it so... calming, somehow.
Wade Rogers stood before her, grinning that oh-so-charming grin at her.
Emma almost felt the urge to blush. Almost.
Instead, she just returned his smile, and replied to his comment.
"Oh, I'm too real for you buddy, trust me" she teased.
Wade laughed that wonderful laugh of his, and gestured towards the seat opposite Emma, silently asking if she minded him sitting with her.
"Be my guest" she smiled.
"So..." he said slowly as he took a seat, "How was your first night in our quaint little town? Anything to report, Swan?"
Emma felt a pang of dejection in her heart at hearing Hook's nickname for her, but she quickly reminded herself that Wade wasn't necessary a different person from Killian, more like just an extension of him.
"Nothing much" Emma shrugged nonchalantly, "Met a few of the townspeople like Granny and Ruby, the sheriff... oh, and that Mr Gold character too".
The blonde focused very hard on Wade's reaction as she said that last name.
After seeing Killian's hook in Rumplestiltskin's shop the previous night, Emma had been curious whether or not Wade and Gold had history together, forged from their fake curse memories.
Wade didn't even blink.
Emma sighed in relief.
Apparently they didn't, which could only be a good thing. She just hoped that Gold would leave Wade alone, because back in this time, Rumple had been very keen to kill Captain Hook, very keen indeed.
"That's good" Wade nodded and smiled, "So, have you thought anymore about my offer? To show you around town sometime?"
Emma arched an eyebrow.
"I thought you were just saying that as part of all that flirting" she replied honestly.
"No" Wade laughed and shook his head, "I really meant it. Storybrooke has some nice little spots if you know where to look".
Emma already knew practically the entire town of course, but the more she thought about it, the more an idea began taking shape in her mind.
If she and Wade spent time together, they could build up a friendship again.
That could prove useful in the future, especially if they were both stuck here. And if that was the case, then Emma would need to find a way of restoring Hook's memories, if only to find out exactly what he'd changed in the past to end up here now.
A friendship would be the key to that.
Plus she really wanted to spend more time with him anyway.
Emma honestly didn't know what it was about Hook, but something about him just drew her in and allowed her to lower her defences a little. Wade wasn't all that different either.
"I'd like that a lot Wade" Emma eventually said, honestly meaning it.
Wade beamed at her.
He opened his mouth to say something, but the words never had the chance to be spoken, for at that moment the door to the diner opened with an almighty crash, and in stormed Regina Mills, looking positively furious, with Sheriff Graham trailing along behind her.
Emma's heart sank.
So Henry had disappeared again.
Emma hadn't really expected that to change, she knew it was still going to happen, but she honestly was not in the mood to be dealing with Regina right now.
Not when her sort-of-friend was a complete bitch again.
"Miss Swan" Regina all-but-snarled as she approached Emma's table, "I'm only going to ask this once, and so help me if you lie to me, I will make sure you live to regret it".
Many diners stopped what they were doing to watch the scene unfold.
"Good morning to you too" Emma scowled sarcastically, not the slightest bit intimidated.
Across from her, Wade bit back a smirk, impressed.
Practically everyone in town was terrified of their mayor. Even Wade himself had a bit of fear for her, but he was able to hide it behind a mask of bravado. So for Emma to not show any fear of her at all... well, that just made Wade like her all the more.
He was curious as to how Mayor Mills and Emma Swan even knew each other though.
"Where. Is. My. Son?" Regina hissed through clenched teeth.
Emma forced her features to look surprised.
The last thing she needed was to appear as though she'd been expecting this to happen. It would only give Regina a reason to have Graham lock her up, and that could throw off everything that needed to happen today.
To that end, Emma began her web of lies.
"Honey, I haven't seen him since I dropped him off at your house last night" Emma told her bluntly, really not in the mood for her attitude today, "And I haven't left here all morning. You can check with Granny or Ruby and they'll tell you".
Regina's nostrils flared angrily.
"Well he wasn't in his room this morning" she retorted, just barely keeping her tone calm and collected, "And after yesterday's... events... you'll forgive me if I happen to think that you might know more than you're willing to share".
Wade and Graham - not to mention everyone else in the diner - watched the pair of them like hawks, wondering how this would play out.
Emma didn't reply immediately.
Instead she inwardly frowned.
She was trying to think of a way to turn this situation to her advantage. Perhaps if she could point out just how troubled Henry was and make her understand, Regina might actually focus on fixing her own relationship with her son.
It would be much better for Regina than spending all her time and effort on ruining the chance of Emma having one with him.
"If you want to find him, I suggest you try his friends" Emma finally said, and Regina's eyes flashed.
"He doesn't really have any" the brunette told her uncaringly, "He's kind of a loner".
Emma tried hard not to wince.
She couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for Henry to grow up in Storybrooke, living the same day over and over again, and being the only person in the entire town that aged.
Even if he had made friends, he'd have to leave them behind when he progressed to the next grade in school without them.
It must have been awful for him, so why couldn't Regina see that?
"And that doesn't worry you?" Emma demanded, starting to lose her cool herself now, "Every kid needs friends. Aren't you the slightest bit bothered by that, if what you say is true?"
Regina bristled with rage.
Who the hell was this woman to give her lectures on childcare?!
"I don't remember asking you for your opinion on my parenting style Miss Swan, so kindly don't stick your nose into business that doesn't concern you" Regina's tone was practically acidic by this point, "Now, do you know where Henry is or not?!"
"I do not" Emma was forced to lie again, "Have you checked his computer? If he's close to someone, he'd be emailing them".
"What part of 'he's kind of a loner' didn't you understand?" Regina retorted angrily, "Come on Graham, we're wasting our time with her".
"Or" Emma spoke up before either of them could move, "He might have made travel arrangements online. He managed to get to Boston yesterday, and it's not like he walked there".
Regina paused, loathed to admit that Emma had made a good point.
"Very well, we'll check his computer" she sneered at the blonde icily, "Let's go Graham".
Regina started to leave, but Emma's voice made her pause.
"If you like, I can help you find him" Emma suggested.
Regina whirled on the spot, her face red with rage.
"And why would I want your help?!" she spat in anger, "I'm his mother. It's my job to find him, not yours".
Many of the people in the diner flinched at her tone, but Emma stood her ground.
"Finding people is what I do for a living" Emma 'informed' her, "But if you think you can do it by yourself, then please, be my guest".
Regina looked about ready to punch her for that one, but instead she simply turned to Graham, wanting his opinion.
The sheriff, looking like a deer in the headlights, shrugged.
"She could be useful" he said reasonably.
Regina looked as though she'd swallowed something vile, but nodded in acceptance. Throwing one last look of contempt at Emma, Regina turned on her heel and marched out of the diner.
Graham threw an apologetic look Emma's way before following the mayor.
Emma let out a sympathetic sigh for him.
It was so obvious now just how under the thumb Graham was, and the worst part was, it was all because Regina was controlling him via his heart. Graham couldn't even fight back.
"Bloody hell" Wade whispered behind her, snapping Emma out of her thoughts, "I thought she was going to scratch your eyes out".
Emma was again reminded of all that of she'd lost, including the beginnings of a friendship with the Regina from the future.
Plastering on a smile, Emma turned around to face Wade.
"Nah" she shook her head, "She might break a nail".
Wade sniggered in agreement, before a thoughtful and serious expression overtook his face.
"Would you like an extra pair of hands to help track down the lad?" he suddenly offered kindly.
Emma was momentarily surprised, then beamed at him.
"Really?" she couldn't help but ask.
It was still a foreign concept to Emma after the difficult life that she'd led, that someone should offer her help simply because they could, and not because they wanted something in return.
"Of course" Wade nodded with a soft smile, "You want to find the lad, don't you?"
"I do" Emma confirmed.
"Well then, the more people looking, the sooner that'll happen" Wade reasoned.
Emma grinned up at him and nodded.
Together, they left the diner, both equally determined.
Regina had not been pleased by Wade tagging along, but Emma had quickly pointed out to her that by having more people help out, the sooner Henry would be returned to her.
Regina was all for that, so she'd reluctantly agreed that he could come.
Now she, Wade, Graham and Emma were all in Henry's bedroom, the other three watching as Emma worked at the computer - Wade and Graham looking on with curiosity, Regina with an ugly scowl.
"Smart kid, he cleared his inbox" Emma muttered, purely for effect.
Hell, even checking the computer was for effect, since she knew exactly how Henry had found her and whose credit card he'd used to do it.
"Anything you can do to undo that?" Wade asked curiously.
"Of course" Emma grinned at him, "I'm smart too after all. A little hard disk recovery utility I like to use".
Wade chuckled upon hearing that. The lad probably wouldn't be too happy about that once they had located him.
"I'm a bit more old fashioned in my techniques" Graham admitted to them, "Pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, that sort of thing".
"You're on salary. I get paid for delivery" Emma told him bluntly, "Pounding the pavement is not a luxury that I get".
"To be fair though, in a small town like Storybrooke, his methods work well enough" Wade said fairly.
"Thank you" Graham smiled at him.
"Whatever... oh, now that's interesting" Emma said thoughtfully.
"What?" Regina, who had been oddly quiet, asked.
"There's a receipt for a website. He deleted it but I got it back..." Emma explained for the others' benefit, "And it's expensive too. Surely he doesn't have a credit card?"
"Of course not" Regina scoffed, "He's only ten years old".
"Well, he used one" Emma said, typing away on the keyboard.
"Can you pull up a transaction record?" Wade queried.
"I'm doing it now" Emma nodded at him.
A name appeared on the screen.
Emma swallowed hard.
This next part of the day was not going to be easy for her.
Not at all.
For Emma had a cruel and horrible task ahead of her.
She was going to have to pretend to not know her own mother.
"Mary Margaret Blanchard…" Emma said slowly, trying her very best to keep her voice level when all she wanted to do was cry for the loss of a mother who didn't even know her daughter existed yet... "Who's Mary Margaret Blanchard?"
Regina's eyes darkened with undisguised loathing.
"Henry's teacher" she snarled.
Emma swallowed hard, fighting off tears, as she valiantly tried to keep her emotions in check.
It was time to meet her mother.
And there's another chapter : )
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It doesn't feel like that much is really happening. To be perfectly honest, I was originally planning this to be the last chapter of the 'Pilot' episode, but it ended up being so long that I just had to split it up. Oh well ; )
So Regina is starting to get suspicious. She doesn't know for sure that Emma is the saviour yet. She's just praying the timing is a coincidence : )
Emma will make her decision soon. Let's face it, we all know what it is, but I want her to know that soon as well : )
And Wade, he's so sweet to Emma. I can't wait to wake Hook up though, although I still have no idea when that's going to be : )
Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, and I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave a review, because you guys always give great advice about how to proceed with this story : )
Until the next time, keep on reading : )