AU: only loosely follows from 2x10.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, though I wish I did.
Here is another chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. It was proving quite hard to write and with uni and work, I thought it was never going to be done. Alas, here it is.
This one is from Imogen's POV and brings Emma into it a bit more.
After leaving the docks, Imogen walked through the centre of Storybrooke. Her thoughts trailing the same path over and over. Killian. Though she wasn't surprised at her brothers' revelation, it still hurt. She had been alone for so long and she couldn't deny that when she saw her brother, she had hoped that maybe she wouldn't have to be anymore. Imogen considered going home. But the idea of sitting in a small house with only blank walls and false memories made her skin crawl. So instead she headed into Granny's diner. With it being 4 p.m., the diner was busy with customers. Imogen took a seat in a far corner and ordered a flat white, dissolving into her thoughts and memories.
She was brought out of her daydreaming by the loud clang of the bell as the door shut behind an angry Regina. Emma raced after Regina, while David reassured Henry that his mother knew what she was doing.
The boy nodded and walked away from his grandparents, "I'm going to go to the bathroom." She heard him say.
Henry headed towards Imogen and she put her head down. Emma's son was too curious for his own good. She didn't want him to pull attention to her. She did fine being invisible.
"Hey," Henry stopped in front of her, "I haven't seen you around before."
Imogen slowly lifted her head as the boy slid into the seat across from her.
"Did one of your mothers ever tell you not to talk to strangers?" Imogen said, sighing.
"Who are you, back in fairytale land?" Gosh, this kid didn't waste any time.
"No one important, bud. You wouldn't know me even if I told you." She gave him a weak smile.
"Try me," the ten-year-old challenged. He held her gaze, sternly.
Taking a deep breath, Imogen answered, "Imogen".
"What fairytale are you from?" Henry asked, tapping his fingers on the table.
"I am pretty sure I am in no fairytale." She chuckled.
"Everyone is," Henry's brow crinkled slightly.
"Hey kid, are you ready to head home?" Emma said, coming and standing next to the table.
"Yeah, I was just trying to figure out which fairytale Imogen's from" Henry said bringing Emma's attention to Imogen.
Imogen gave a small smile coupled with an awkward wave, "hi".
"Hey. I'm Emma. I see you have met my son, Henry." She held her hand out.
"I... I know." Imogen stuttered, slightly shocked by the arrival of the savior and sheriff. "Imogen." She said taking the sheriffs offered hand.
"Imogen Jones." Emma blinked, her smile faltering at Imogen's last name.
"Could I join you? For a coffee?" Emma asked, nervously.
"I... I guess so." Imogen wanted to disappear. Of course the young boy had to bring attention to her existence now. After the day she had, bloody fate.
"I'll be back. Kid, come on" Emma said to Henry. "You have school in the morning."
Henry rolled his eyes but followed Emma to his grandparents.
Soon Emma returned and took her sons vacated seat.
"You said your name was Jones? Is that your Storybrooke name or...?" Emma was leaned forward in the chair, her arms resting on the table between them.
Imogen wanted to lie, she really did, but it didn't feel right.
"No, it's my name from the other land." Emma yet again reacted to Imogen's answer. Which could only mean one thing. It was no coincidence her brother had come to Storybrooke just as Emma and Mary Margaret arrived back.
"Would I be correct in guessing you have had the pleasure of meeting another member of the Jones family?"
"Hook." She breathed.
Imogen smirked, "aye, that's my lovely brother. Though, if he is still going by Hook, lovely is probably not the word to use."
"Captain Hook has a sister." Emma said under her breath, her eyes narrowed and her head slightly shaking, confused.
"So, what did my brother do to you?" Imogen sighed. 'Hook' was capable of nearly anything.
"Um," Emma looked to the table, biting her lip slightly, "I think I did more to him than he to me. The last time I saw him I knocked him out in the middle of a sword fight."
Imogen almost choked. She laughed loudly. "I am sorry. Are you sure it was Hook you met because that does not sound like my brothers alter-ego?"
"He had a hook for a hand, dark hair, blue eyes, a walking book of innuendos, too cocky for his own good?" Emma's face was sour as she described Hook and Imogen almost missed the slight curl of Emma's mouth. Almost. Hmm, interesting, she thought.
"That is definitely he." Imogen nodded.
"Was he always like that?" Emma asked, letting out a small groan.
"Like what? Obnoxious and insufferable. Yes. For as long as I have known him. Though, he used to be much less sour and depressed." Imogen ran a hand through her brown curls in an attempt to wipe away the memories that came flooding back.
Emma cocked an eyebrow at Imogen, and leaned forward, green eyes intent on blue. "Something happened between you two before the curse?" Emma spoke slowly.
"You could say that. My brother became someone that I no longer recognised." Imogen's throat constricted slightly, as she remembered her conversation with him earlier, I will skin my crocodile.
"He is the only family you have." It wasn't a question but Imogen nodded anyway.
"Our parent's were killed when we were children." She attempted to explain.
"And you both became pirates together?" Emma asked, thoughtfully.
"Not exactly." Imogen smiled at the blonde.
"I grew up not knowing him. It was by accident I found out about him at all"
"What do you mean you didn't know about him?" Emma pressed.
"Our parents were killed by rebels when Killian was 8 and I was 4. A lady who found us hiding in an alley took us in. But the rebels were looking for us. It was only a matter of time before we got caught. He left me with Pamela, my adoptive mother and ran."
"Rebels? What would they want with two children?" Emma asked confused.
"A battle went bad and my father was blamed. Killian and I would have been great prisoners with a large ransom over our heads. When Killian realised, they were in the village we were supposed to leave together. But he left me so I didn't have to live on the run."
"How did you find him?" Emma was wheedling information but Imogen found she didn't mind.
It felt strangely good talking to someone, telling them about whom she was and her life.
"I found out that my mother, uh, Pamela had planned a marriage to a horrid Lord's son for me. I couldn't stay. I was packing when I found a pouch with a ring and a portrait in it. It was a portrait of my family. Pamela told me everything when I confronted her.
"I left to search for Killian the next night. It was by luck I found him in a coastal town within my first week searching." Imogen laughed, remembering how she had snuck into a tavern and watched the pirates carefully.
"Can I get you anything?" Ruby asked, taking advantage of the lapse in conversation.
"Another flat white, thanks." Imogen said and then turned to Emma. "Emma?"
"Uh, my usual. Thanks, Ruby." Emma gave the waitress a small smile.
Ruby loitered slightly, shuffling from foot to foot. After a moment she blurted, "I know you come in here a bit, but I don't know your name."
Imogen was surprised at Ruby's interest, "Oh, I'm Imogen."
"Well, it is nice to put a name to the face." Ruby left, leaving the two girls in an still silence.
"Do you know anyone here?" Emma asked, quietly.
Imogen would have thought she imagined it if she hadn't caught Emma's eye.
"Not personally. I mean I know Smee and some of the crew made it through, Killian, and I know of the Queen, Rumple and the royal family, of course."
Emma nodded, slowly.
"Wait!" She said, loudly. Her eyes met Imogen's. A few heads turned their way briefly.
"Did you say Killian?" Emma held Imogen's gaze steadily.
Imogen felt like she was being interrogated. She laughed, trying to ease the tension. "Did I? I didn't mean to."
Emma raised an eyebrow.
"I mean it's not like he is here," Imogen scoffed.
Emma leaned closer to Imogen and whispered, confident and accusatory, "you are lying."
Well, this just got interesting. Hopefully, we will see some Emma/Hook interaction soon. I have a feeling Imogen will ship Captain Swan.
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