(Sheriff's Station)

It was a slow day at the station. David was out on patrol and Emma was occupying her time with the dart board. She really should be filling out paperwork, but she couldn't bear to be overcome by the boredom of it. Emma threw her last dart and missed the bulls eye by a few inches. Sighing, she slumped into one of the rolling chairs. Just because the work was slow did not mean that Emma's mind was not bustling with thoughts. Emma stared down at her hand, twiddling the ring that she wore on her left ring finger. Now that the Black Fairy had been defeated, wedding plans were in full swing. Don't be mistaken, Emma loved Killian with all her heart, but she still had some doubts. Marriage was a big deal. Were they really ready for such a big live altering step? Of course, Emma had yet to voice her concerns to Killian. How does one tell their true love that they are having second thoughts on marriage? Emma was so lost in her thoughts, that she didn't notice the sound of clicking heels.

"I see our town's Sheriff is as busy as ever."

Startled, Emma's head whipped towards the sound of the familiar voice.

"Regina. What are you doing here?"

The mayor's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Well, for once, I am not here to reprimand you for slacking off during work hours."

Emma rolled her eyes, but an amused smirk played on her lips. Over the last four years, Regina and Emma have come a long way from where they started. However, they couldn't completely abandon their banter. Even if has lost its malice. Some things never change.

"If that's so, then what brings you here Madame Mayor?"

Regina's amused expression transformed into one of concern.

"I have a child here with me. I wish for you to speak with her."

Emma stood up from the chair.

"Is she in some sort of trouble? Did she break the law or something?"

The Sheriff had to admit that Regina had peaked her interest. Why would she bring a kid here?

"Not exactly," said Regina. She turned around to speak to an unseen person.

"Come here, dear, I promise it's alright."

Emma peaked around Regina to see a young girl come from behind the corner. The child was tanned with long dark hair. Her blue eyes were striking against her skin tone and she couldn't have been older than ten. The girl entered the police station and stood next to Regina. Emma studied the girl's actions and noticed she was fond of Regina. Yet, somehow, she was also hesitant around her.

"Sheriff Swan, this is Danielle. Danielle this is the friend I told you about, Emma. She is the town's sheriff."

Emma stepped forward carefully because she saw that Danielle was nervous. She didn't want to scare the girl.

"It's nice to meet you, Danielle. I'm Emma."

Danielle's voice was soft and sweet.

"Hi"

Emma smiled at Danielle before addressing Regina.

"Regina." she said. "What is this about?"

"Am I in trouble?"

The two adults looked at the girl who asked the question.

"What?" Regina questioned Danielle.

Danielle elaborated.

"Are you going to arrest me for taking Cody's heart?"

"She took a heart?" Emma said in bewilderment.

Regina chose to ignore Emma's question for now and turned her full attention to Danielle.

"No! Oh my god, no!" Danielle you are not being arrested. I brought you here because I think it will benefit you to talk to Emma."

Regina spoke quickly to reassure Danielle.

"It was not my intention to scare you further. I am so sorry."

Danielle nodded her head in understanding. She was still nervous and unsure. She didn't understand how this Emma person could help her. At this time, Emma spoke up.

"Ok, Regina," she said. "What is going on?"

"Danielle," Regina said. "Wait here for a minute, ok?"

Regina pulled her friend into her office. Emma spoke first.

"What did you mean by she took a heart!? She's a kid!"

"Slow down. Let me explain."

Regina quickly explained the events that had transpired early that day. How Danielle had been bullied by a boy named Cody and how her magic lashed out in self defense.

"I've returned Cody's heart to its rightful place. There is another matter that I'm concerned about and I need your help."

"Of course," Emma replied. "What do you need?"

Regina lowered her voice to a whisper.

"I believe that Danielle is an orphan."

Emma frowned. She faced the girl sitting in the chair. Her face softened greatly. Emma always had a soft spot in her heart for orphaned children.

"Why do you think so?"

"She hasn't said a word about her parents and stays silent whenever the topic is brought up."

Emma looked back at her friend.

"Well, there could be a number of reasons for that. She..."

"She has that look in her eyes."

Regina interrupted Emma. The blonde woman looked curiously at the mayor.

"What look?"

"The same look you get when you talk about your foster families."

Emma scoffed. "I don't get a look."

Regina raised an eyebrow at the blonde. Emma sighed. Sometimes she forgot how well Regina knew her. "Alright. Alright," said Emma. "I have a look, but what does that have to do with Danielle?"

"I want to help," said Regina. "I feel... connected to her somehow. I can't explain it."

Emma waited patiently for Regina to continue.

"Anyway, I think that she will open up to you."

"Why do you think so?"

"Lost girl. Uncontrollable magic. Sound familiar?"

"Right. Ok. I'll talk to her."

Regina thanked the woman she had come to see as her friend. Emma told the brunette to wait in her office and that she would be back momentarily. Emma walked back into the bull pen and approached the brunette child. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, not wishing to startle her.

"Hello Danielle."

Danielle lifted her head at the sound of Emma's voice. She gave the blonde a small smile. Danielle still didn't completely understand what she was doing here, but she trusted Regina. 'Because she's my ...' Danielle stopped her train of thoughts in its tracks. Now was not the time to dig up those feelings.

"Hi Miss..."

"Swam. It's Swan, but you can just call me Emma."

Danielle's smile got a little wider. "Hi Emma." Emma smiled at Danielle. "Do you mind if I sit next to you?" Danielle shook her head no and Emma pulled the nearest chair over. "So, Regina told me about what happen. Pretty rough stuff, kid. You okay?"

"Yeah, I guess. I've got thick skin."

Her words were tough, but the tone of voice revealed the truth to Emma. This girl was alone in the world. "I can tell," Emma said. "Regina tells me that you're an orphan. Do you want to talk about it?" Danielle's eyes focused on her hands in her lap. She was completely silent.

"You know," Emma continued. "I was an orphan myself. Once upon a time." Danielle looked back up.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Did you," Danielle whispered quietly. "Did you ever find your family?"

Emma gave her a watery smile.

"I did, but I still remember that girl." Danielle looked confused. Emma chuckled at the confused expression. "What I mean is, I remember how it feels to be a lost girl. I may have my family, but I still remember being alone. It's a part of yourself that's hard to let go of."

Danielle listened intently to Emma. So this is why Madame Mayor wanted Danielle to talk to this woman. This Emma person could understand Danielle. She knew what it was like to feel alone in a way relatable to the young girl. "You're right," said Danielle. "I am an orphan."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Danielle chewed on her bottom lip. Emma could see the gears turning in her head.

"Do you," Emma continued her questioning. "Do you know what happened to your parents? Were you given up or did something happen to them?"

"I don't know."

Emma stayed silent. Her lie detector was reading off the charts. "You want to know a secret Danielle? I've got a superpower. I can tell when anyone is lying to me and you kid are."

Danielle sighed. "My dad," she said. "He's dead. He died before I was born and my mom gave me up."

"Were your parents from the Enchanted Forest?"

Danielle nodded her head, but remained silent. Emma continued. "Do you know if your mom is here in Storybrooke?"

"She's here," Danielle said. "But I don't think she's ready to find out who I am."

Emma sat next to Danielle in silence, letting them both work through their thoughts. From the moment Emma saw Danielle, she noticed that she looked familiar. Emma studied the young girl's face. Her cheekbones, the shape of her jaw and nose. 'She looks,' Emma thought to herself. 'She looks a lot like Regina.' Emma chuckled at her own thoughts. What were the chances that Regina was Danielle's mother? Extremely low.

'Yeah. Not likely.'