Title: Keeping Watch
Summary: Graham takes the opportunity to confront Emma while Henry's in the bathroom.
Note: From sentence meme on Tumblr. Set after Mementos, the first day back in SB. Anon asked for 22, and farmgirlusa asked for 44. I am so sorry for the delay in chapters, and I apologize that this is so short, but finally getting my muse back.

"I've seen the way you look at me when you think I don't notice."

Emma sighed, pushing the mug of hot chocolate away from her as she met her husband's eye. He looked serious, and had waited until Henry had left for the bathroom before saying anything. Judging by his expression, she hadn't hid it very well. She could admit that she had been staring at him quite raptly all day, afraid that keeping him out of sight cause him to disappear. She used to do that, in the beginning. Now the old habit had reformed.

"Is it just because of the town?" he asked.

She slid her fingers across the table and tapped along the skin of his hand. "Mostly," she acknowledged.

"I'm not going anywhere," he assured, flipping his hand to catch hers.

Warm metal hit her, and she trailed along the band there. "It's hard enough to be here and not knowing who set off this new curse. It's another to see her traipsing around without a care in the world," she said, her voice gravelly with anger.

They had spent the better part of the day researching while Henry stayed at Granny's. While Regina hadn't gotten close to her or her husband again, she had seen glimpses of her a few times as she spoke with Mary Margaret. That, more than anything, had likely ignited her determination to keep him within sight. Regina sparked a rage within her that she couldn't temper, but she also created the cold grip of dread deep in her stomach.

His mouth slid into a firm line and his eyes closed. He gripped her tight, and she could feel the trickle of fear that he tried to hide most of the time. "I hate seeing her and being near her, too," he admitted. "But just because she's around doesn't mean I'm going to disappear."

"You did before," she shot back. She startled at her own vehemence, and then shook her head. Regina had taken him before she could blink, right from her arms. She had been in the dark for months afterward, and Henry had been the only one who knew. Her eyes misted, and she wondered for a moment whether her reaction was purely based on her fear or if her hormones were mixing in to escalate things. "You died, Graham. I can't … I need to know you're going to be okay."

She knows it's something he can't promise, but the warm smile on his face almost has her believing for a moment. "Well, I certainly have protection."

She blew out a low breath. Yes, she'd protect him, but she also needed to know he'd fight. "If you die, I'm gonna kill you."

His brows shot up, and he nodded, failing to hide his grin. "That's a new ultimatum. Deal."

She let out something that was half-sob, half-laugh. She pressed her opposite palm to cover her eyes, squeezing with the other. "God, Graham, I just—I'm sorry. I just need you, okay?"

He brought their hands to his mouth and kissed the side of her fist. "I need you, too. You know I wouldn't leave willingly."

Relief hit her like a wall, and she nodded compulsively. "Good," she said simply. She grabbed her cocoa again and took a long sip. Part of her wanted to slip into the space next to him and hold him close, but she felt like they were already on display as it was. She didn't want to bring more attention to themselves than was necessary.

Henry took that moment to come back, settling into the seat next to her. "Why are you guys so serious?" he asked bluntly.

Emma laughed and ruffled her son's hair. She felt a bit of weight come off her with the action, and she pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "We were just talking about what we're going to do tomorrow."

"We're going to see if Red or Granny can watch over you for a bit, because your mom and I are going to be busy again. I was just about to tell her that we'll probably have to split up to get it all done."

Henry bobbed his head and picked a cold fry off his mostly empty plate. He locked eyes with Graham. "Because mom's been too worried to do things?"

Emma startled, and turned to him. "I have good reason to worry, kid," she said softly.

He looked up. "I know. But the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can leave, right?" He sunk into her side, twirling the fry in front of his face.

She grimaced and pulled her arm around him. "Yeah, Henry. The sooner we can leave."

When she looked up again, Graham was watching the boy. Worry was plain on his face, and she could practically feel how much he wished Henry didn't have to be here.

They knew there wouldn't be a way that he'd stay in Manhattan, away from them. He'd stolen a credit card to find her when he was even younger than he was now, and she couldn't imagine his will to stay with the family would be any less. But the more he lingered in this town, the more he resembled the optimistic but deeply sad boy that lived here before.

"I guess if we split up, we can cover more ground," she said reluctantly. She locked eyes with Graham. "But you need to charge your phone now."

"Sounds reasonable," he replied, smiling gently at her. He nodded to Henry. "You can help, too. Help us build a wall for clues, just like at the precinct."

The boy perked up, looking eager. "Really? I can help make one? Garcia was teaching me how you order them last week."

Emma grimaced. "Was Garcia seriously showing you clues about old murders?"

Henry shook his head. "Nope. Old missing persons cases. And this is kinda like a missing persons case, isn't it, Dad?"

"Close enough, Henry," Graham replied, his expression amused. "We'll grab a white board and some other supplies down at Clark's once we're finished, okay?"

Emma felt a spark of anticipation, but realized that it only struck her after Clark's was mentioned. She pressed her lips together and leaned her cheek on top of her kid's head. There was a strange twinge inside her, the effect of their separate lives mingling, and the lights immediately surrounding them dimmed ever so slightly. Luckily, her husband seemed to be distracted by Henry enough not to notice, and a tight breath released from her chest. "We can get a little organized. Make this quick," she murmured.

"Then we go home?"

His hopeful tone shot a pang through her, and she looked up to Graham to see his reaction. He looked just as sympathetic. Part of her felt like once they were back she could breathe a little easier, that the worries would be quieted. At the same time, she thought about her parents and separating from them once again, and her heart splintered. Still, she nodded. "Guess so, kid."

Maybe something else would be figured out, but for now the reassurance felt right. It was too early for firm decisions, but the idea wrapped around her like a cloak.

So long as her family was safe, everyone in her family, then everything would be okay.

She'd still covertly keep watch in the meantime.