I do not own Once Upon a Time.
Emma walked into Tara's office after giving the door one knock. Usually, she was politer than that, but she had maybe made a break in the case. "I got security videos from a high class restaurant." She announced.
"And?" Tara had her head in her hands. This investigation was dragging on with no end in sight. She wanted justice and revenge.
"They are all there."
"All who?"
Emma hadn't noticed Killian sitting in a corner. They were still on more or less professional terms. "The board members, all of them." Emma stuck the disc into Tara's computer. The picture was fuzzy at first but then the board members were as clear as day on the screen.
"Wow, so they do have personal lives. Who would have thought." Tara mused.
"Didn't we get scolded for doing exactly what they are doing now? Two faced mother… jerks." Killian amended his choice of words at the last minute.
"Dad always said never trust a smiling crocodile. Where's the sound?"
"No sound, it's just visuals. Can either of you read lips?" Emma asked. The siblings had odd talents so that didn't seem like a long shot.
"Shockingly, we aren't that good…" Tara started to say.
"You're not. Me on the other hand…" Killian shot Emma a confident smile, one that made her stomach flip. He then focused his eyes on the screen. "They're talking about someone, someone not on the board… something with the Jewel… something about gaining…" He broke off, disbelief, shock and betrayal on his face. "The board is planning a munity."
"Blood hell. So they want to kill us off to get us out of the way. That's low." Tara slumped further into her chair.
"Who can you trust with this information?" Emma asked. Tara and Killian took turns naming people.
"Regina."
"Robin."
"Ruby. We will have a meeting later today to discuss stopping the board."
"I have been talking to the board members all week." Emma said. "I don't think any of them are capable of murder…"
"Clearly Peter was." Killian commented.
"He was off his rocker, but I can't picture Cora getting her hands dirty." Tara had to agree with Emma there.
"The video is suggesting that they report to someone else. A bigger badder person." Killian voiced his concerns.
"Yes, you said they were talking about someone else. I'll tell Robin that the both of us need 24/7 security." Tara became professional for two seconds before realizing there were other people who needed security. "And just to be safe, Roxanne, Neal and Sophia too. If someone hurts my family, they will wish they were never born."
Now it really just the two of them running the Jewel. The board was put on leave during the investigation. "Just a precaution." Tara had assured them, but now it was a lie. It was time for Tara and Killian to gain their footing without the board members looking over their shoulders.
Tara had the yearly reports in her hands. "None of our numbers look good. We need to get back on top." Tara was saying. A chuckle stopped her, she spun to face Killian. "Real mature."
"Sorry. Go on."
"I will not let this company fail on my watch. George started it with nothing and look how far we came. We can't let Dad or Grandpa down. Five generations would have worked for nothing. Each man who led the Jewel kept his roots close." She sank into her chair; her eyes were suddenly on the wall map. "Roots." She half mused. "What if we make the company international again?"
The company had cut its international trade after the second world war and never seemed to pick it up again. Maybe now was the right time. Killian stared at her. "That's huge and crazy and might just work. Where are you thinking about starting?"
Tara stood up and walked up to the map. "Where do we have an in?" She asked and only got a confused look. "Seriously? Do I have to spell it out for you? Ireland."
"We definitely have connections there." Killian stood next to her.
Now for the leap of faith. "I want you to lead that project." Tara said. She wasn't really asking, but she did want to know what his response would be.
Killian's blue eyes widened. Was she really giving him responsibility? Did she trust him? Could he handle that?
"Killian," She touched his shoulder. "I believe in you. Besides, we all know you have a way with words." Tara grinned.
"When do you want me over there?"
"By the end of next week."
So I realized the next few chapters are short. But it would build up to something awesome.
Reviews?