I don't own anything.
"Uhh..." I groaned loudly. My head! These books had so many words and pages and I have been feeling the slow build of a migraine for the last three hours. I glanced up at the clock, 8:30, God, it's late. I opened my phone and noted how Henry hasn't called. Hook must have brought him home. At these thoughts Regina walked out of the back room with a small pile of books.
"Find anything?" I asked tapping my foot, intrigued by all the dusty old books.
"I don't know yet." She said with her steely cold atmosphere. "It will take me sometime to go through them."
I shuffled back, raising my hands in surrender, time is an inadament object that clearly will slip from my fingers if not careful.
She glared at my tapping foot. "Results don't happen on a flip of a switch, Swan." She hissed at me.
"I know." I paced, shooting her a impatient look. "New residents are starting to show up. Granny said the inn is filling up, between me and Charming I dont know if we can keep these characters in check."
She pushed her bangs back angrily. "Well, I'm glad the police department is doing their job."
"We are handling it Regina." I clipped. "But we are out numbered."
She picked up her purse and walked to the library door.
"Well maybe if you didn't spend so much time trying to ruin my happy ending then you would have time to handle your job, Sheriff."
With that she slammed the door. I felt like it would be like pressing pins into her skull to ask her why she discluded the sacrifice from me.
I gathered my things, I won't keep Belle out late keeping the library open.
Walking out I heard her lock the door behind me. I shivered, the December air was definitely prominent. The very last of the fall leaves got swept away with the biting cold wind, leaving me feel eerily cold. Storybrooke was a ghost town after the dinner rush to the diner, It almost makes me wish I brought my sunshine yellow car to lighten the mood.
Snap.
I whipped my head around. I pressed my hand to my belt where my gun sat, glancing around. I sighed, nothing. Maybe I was just as paranoid as the people in this town.
Snap.
That time was not my imagination. Flicking my head to one side I saw a person in a dark hoodie. The gender was indistinguishable because of the size of the clothes that didn't fit well. The figure turned to a car mirror, but I couldn't see it's face, though I knew it could see me. Plugging the ears with white earphones, the figure jogged away from the building. I released a breath I barely realized I was holding. We have to get this spell up.
Gold.
I waltzed to the storybrooke cemetery, a dreary night tis is. So many graves, many of which I have helped place the person in. Graham, Cora and Pan. A wicked grin fitted across my face. The only person I placed here is Pan, I will have to bring up my reputation.
"This is ridiculous." A man wailed carrying a shovel and a small box.
"Oh come now are we complaining again Dr. Whales?" I remarked jovially.
He glanced at me angrily and I trudged toward the grave sight. Recently Whales has been in a bit of a depression. Only a slight problem in my world. You see, Whales has a certain memory that is causing him oh, so much pain and I have recently given him the opportunity to relisqush the memory no more. For a price that is, and right now he is to be my slave.
"Which one?" He grunted, referring to the graves as he stretched out his lower back.
I walked past twelve headstones before finding the one I desired. "This is the one." I said as I pointed a steady hand down to the dark grave. One of the very few things that can make me feel anything. Having to rob the grave of my son.
"This is..." Whales started glancing me to the grave, waiting for a explanation.
"Baelfires, yes I am not illiterate. Now I suggest you start digging," I said grinning happily at his disgruntled face. "I rather not be here when the sun comes up."
He glared at me, picking up his shovel, he scowled at the damp earth underneath. I took a seat on a rock staring at the cane I carried with me. Oh, Bae, why are you the one with the only object that can give me what I want? What a cruel twist that the fates have given me. But then again, I am villain and villains never get a happy ending.
Whales stopped after a moment to catch his breath and wipe his brow.
"Keep digging Frankenstein," I taunted, suddenly feeling viscous.
He shot me a glare in his sweaty mud ridden face. "Why go through all of this? Why Gold?"
I motioned to shovel, he can keep shoveling as I explain. He tossed the earth back.
"Earlier today Regina gave me an interesting little spell. It is a protection spell."
He stopped looked at me incredulously. "What is it that brings to your attention?"
I clicked my tongue, I should rapt him against his temple with my cane.
"When young Bae died he had a necklace with him. That necklace has some of the magic in it that Miss Swan used to cast the spell to save me. That magic has the last remains of the original dark one. The only thing strong enough to complete the spell. That is precisely why we must find it before Miss Swan and Regina get to it."
My jaw stiffened as I heard the clack of his shovel on the coffin.
"Why?" He huffed, getting ready to lift the lid of the casket. It wouldn't budge.
I frowned deeply at him, hissing every word out, "This is where my son died, this town deserves to suffer at the hands of me for my son."
Whales crawled around the coffin, taking a crowbar to the side.
I stepped back, I couldn't bear to see Bae like this. The child I tried to love, the little boy so scared of the coming war, of the dark one, of me. Oh, Bae, I was never able to make things right for us. All this I'm doing for you. We will make them suffer the way we have.
"It's not in here." I heard Whales yell at me from the pit.
"It has to be." I yelled back at him.
"Their isn't a necklace down her." My mind was racing, I whacked the tree with my cane in a fit of rage.
"Of course," I murmured to myself. "Swan," she is just about to lose a certain piece of jewelry.
Charming.
"What was so important that you had to drag me out this late at night?" Regina hissed at me while tying her night robe. She closed her front door,and turned to me, I doubt she wanted us inside for a friendly chat and coffee.
"We need to talk about Emma's powers." Snow said watching me, of course, she has Neal wrapped tightly in her arms. The child is almost as ever present as his namesake.
She laughed darkly. "Ah, the Charmings are worried that their perfect new child will be endangered by their old firebomb. Well, he will."
Maybe it was my imagination, but I could detect a hint of envy.
Neal screamed at that moment, Snow covered his head. "There has to be something we can do to stop her magic." She exclaimed frantically while trying to shush Neal.
I sighed. "This is our daughter we are talking about. "
She turned to me, a slightly crazed look in her eyes. "And this is our son and our town we are talking about protecting."
I rubbed my forehead, ready to comment on Regina's smirk at our bickering.
"Emma may be safe," Snow said cutting me off as I opened my mouth. "But her powers are dangerous. David, if she hurts someone she will never forgive herself. "
"Which she will, her powers are new and unknown." Regina said suddenly interested in the conversation. "She won't be able to exercise restraint without knowledge of her ability. "
I rubbed my neck, weary of this whole situation. We should not be talking to Regina about this. Her and Emma still aren't on speaking terms, despite them working together.
"What about the spell?" I asked her pointedly, ready to change the subject. "She said that you need her for the spell, her powers must be under some kind of control if you are trusting her with the towns likelihood?"
She drawled her words out in emphasize. "I am using her powers as a supply, Charming. I need her so I won't drain myself before the spell is complete."
Mary Margaret perked up at this. "Can you teach her Regina? How to contain herself?"
Regina laughed cynically, As cold as the air is. You could almost feel a drop in the temperate.
"I have no desire to train Miss Swan and even if I did, power like hers will never be contained. It will ultimately be her undoing and I will take a front row seat to ending of her happiness."
She stepped in her doorway. "Good night." And with that slammed the door without another reply.
Snow turned to me, her eyes welling up."Oh, David what are we going to do?" She cried, Startling a sleeping Neal, then curled back to sleep.
"We can work this out." I told her firmly. She seemed to be losing hope in Emma.
"Don't pretend you don't see the machines going crazy when she's around." I shook my head. "David, the television doesn't work when she is near it. The baby shouldn't have to see it."
I grimaced her as she patted the sleeping baby fondly. I know she is trying to hang onto every moment we lost with Emma, but this baby is no longer a ours it's hers.
"He is a baby," I said caressing her face. "Look, the whole thing is not as bleak as Regina has us believe. We can cure Emma, but we have to be her parents until we find a cure."
She nodded. "We will call Gold tomorrow. He'll know how to take care of her magic. "
I touched the top of Neal's head, thinking over what Snow was suggesting. "We can make this place safe for him agian." She smiled then, noticed my hand. Lightly slapping it away.
"He has a soft spot." She remarked. I cringed, knowing that this was something I had to work on.
Emma
"Hey pirate." I remarked throwing my keys in the bowl. He was sitting on the sofa in the living room, sort of watching a show. The tv static was obviously giving him a very disoriented picture.
He rolled his head to one side, half smiling at me, his eyes finding mine. "Hello love, come sit and watch the magic picture crate."
God! he has to learn the names for things. I walked to the tv, kicking the bottom stand, making the picture became significantly better and I came and to sit with him on the couch. His arm draped over my shoulders and I moved back suddenly.
"Where's Henry?" I asked.
"Relax lass, your boy went to see the head doctor. Hoppers, I believe is his name. Regina took him away."
I did relax, falling back into his arms.
He kissed my forehead. "Love, why is it that you don't want anyone knowing about us?"
I grimaced at his question. "It's complicated." I replied moving from the suddenly uncomfortable couch to make some coffee.
He appeared confused by my less then enthusiastic response. "How complicated is it?"
"It not that it's too complicated..." I started, grabbing the refrigerater door and suddenly I froze. The happy photo of Neal and Henry in the bug was still stuck to the door. I bit my lip. Don't do this here, Emma.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and knowing who it was, I instantly felt a little better. "I'm sorry." He said and I could the sadness in his voice. "Baelfire was a good person to you and to Henry. He cared very deeply for you both."
My eyes watered when I turned to him. It took him by surprise to see me so vulnerable. "Emma." He whispered. I took his hand and hurriedly pushed back an escaping tear.
"Listen, right now is a hard time for me and Henry. Please don't bring anything new that he would have to deal with." I said, my voice catching slightly.
"Aye." He whispered hoarsely.
I moved in and tilted his chin up with my nose. "How about a romantic comedy?" I suggested, gesturing to the tv. He seemed even more confused now.
" I don't know what the bloody hell that means."he whispered.
After pulling him by his collar all the way to the couch we sat there for three hours, watching every stupid movie we could find. That's three hours of my life I'm never getting back. After a while I left the arms of the pirate and he groaned. "Uh,please would you be so kind to return my other half?"
"Haha." I said dryly with a pony in my mouth, tying up my hair. "Look, I have to take a shower. "
He kinked his eyebrow up at me "Is that an invitation?"
"No." I said suddenly my humor diminished. "Henry will be back soon, so clean up."
He clicked his tongue at me."Nay, you forget I'm not a serving wench."
I gave him a glare and shut off the tv.
"Well, I don't see how a little swabbing couldn't be in order." He said watching me start to tidy up.
I pulled a towel from the rack. "You have to leave before Henry gets back." I shouted walking into the bathroom and closing the door.
"I could be out faster Swan if I didn't have to clean a whole damn parade."
A smile twitched on my face as I hopped into the shower. I wanted to be ready to pull an all nighter once Henry fell asleep, knowing the Charming's had a meeting and would be out all night. They said not to wait up, so the house was mine. I jumped suddenly as I realized how hot the water felt against my skin. I went to turn the handle and shut off the water but the handle was closed off and the fiercely hot water wouldn't stop coming.
"Ow!" I yelped, jumping back as hot water hit my arm. I could already feel a blister forming. The water picked up pouring harder, faster and I struggled with the knobs. Nothing was working! I got out, grabbing a white towel on the floor and tying it around me, steam building on the mirror. I reached for the door handle, it wouldn't turn, it wasn't budging. I kicked the door but nothing happened. The whole room was over heating, insufferable fog clouding over the bathroom. It was suffocating.
"Swan? Are you okay?" Instantly the place cleared as Hook continued to bang on the water stopped running.
"Open the door." I gasped out. He opened and I stumbled out the room.
"Bloody hell!" He exclaimed As the cloud of steam burst from the door way. I sat right on the floor trying to catch my breath.
"What happened?" He asked, bending down, touching my arm.
"The valve wouldn't shut off." I commented as he fell on one knee next to me on the floor.
"Are you alright, do you need to see a doctor?" I shook my head. He touched my chin and reeled back a little. "Love, your on fire."
I began to lay against the door frame. "Ow!" I screamed again and Hook jumped forward. "My arm. "
He turned over the melted piece of skin and I noticed how very bad it looked."Swan..."His face contorting in concern.
"I'm going to see a doctor on this." I said firmly as he held my hand in his, his eyes searching over the skin. The front door slammed. Henry.
"Mom, you here?" Henry called. I didn't have the energy to move now. As he came to the bathroom hallway and saw me he instantly knelt before me. "Mom,are you okay?"
I smiled weakly resting my back on the doorframe, closing my eyes against the throbbing in my hand. "I'm okay kid, the water got hot and then wouldn't turn off."
His eyes darted from me and Hooks hands to Hook to me and back to my burn. "Your going to a doctor right?"
"Yeah, I just want to get up." Hook helped me to stand and I was happy to find that my legs were alright.
"Lass, you may want to try a different attire." Killian said, looking me over. I looked down and realized the towel is all my clothing. I blushed a little, slowly moving to the bedroom instead of the bathroom. Wasn't planning on making that mistake twice today. After a considerably long time it took to get dressed, being careful to avoid irritating the burn further. I chose a tank top, the jacket wasn't going to happen today.
Twenty minutes later I drove to the hospital with Henry in the back and Hook in the front seat, catching sideways glances at me. I went into the hospital and after an exam of my arm a nurse on duty told me that she was going to wrap the burn.
"How bad is it?" I pressed her.
Henry stared intently at the nurse as she kept a serene face. "Second degree burns. Very serious, you will most likely have scaring. Though I can't say a thing until Dr. Whales comes in tomorrow, he will want to see it again."
"Yeah, sure." I murmured, not happy at all about it.
I jumped suddenly as David and Mary Margaret burst through the door with Neal in Mary Margaret's arms.
"Emma what happened?" Mary Margaret asked frantically, her eyes scanning me over.
"The water again, we should get those pipes checked. "
She shared a sideways glance with David, who barely took his eyes off of Hook.
"The important thing is." I said Trying to divert his attention. "Im okay."
"Why is he here?" David asked rudely, jerking his head in Hooks direction.
"He was issuing a complaint about..." I left this wide open for him, waiting for him to fill it in. Hook pulled his gaze from me and responded smoothly to Charming."Ruckus, I have been experiencing late night ruckus. "
Charming glared at him. "On your boat?"
"You be surprised, mate ." He took out his flask and drank from it. "Interested?" he waved it at David.
"Guys I'm fine," I said jumping from the table. "Let's go home. " We left and headed back home. It was nearly two and I have to be up tomorrow to help with this spell. I went straight to my room and fell into a hard sleep.
Ruby.
"Okay, okay.I get it." I complained to granny.
"Ruby don't you sass me, young lady." I cocked my hip. I'm an adult, no one besides granny can tell me what to do.
"I'm going to run tonight and don't stop me." I huffed Closing the door. I turned, granny shook her head and went back to her dishes. I know the rules stay away from the town, go with my head not instincts I got it.
"Ruby, Ruby, please wait." Belle called down the street.
"Belle." I exclaimed. "It's dangerous to be out so late at night."
"I know." she panted, running towards me. "I just had to catch you before you left."she handed me a small scroll.
"Emma needs these things for a spell. Give it to Grumpy, he will know where to find them."
I nodded. "What kind of spell is it?" I asked curiously. Magic is such a horrible thing right now and opening magic to the town again sounded like a bad idea to me.
"It's a protection spell." She said excitedly. "It will blanket the town to stop anyone without pure intentions from entering storybrooke."
I Laughed linking the scroll to my arm. "A spell to keep us safe, it's almost like a dream."
I sat on the ground ready for the clouds to curl back and me to take true form. I glanced worriedly at Belle. "You should probably leave. I'm not sure how I will act with you around. "
She shook off a thought."Of course." She laughed. "One thing that's bothering me is Rumple acting strange towards me since this morning."
"I barely see him." I replied unconcerned with her comment.
"Well, it just that he has been mumbling to himself. Today he told someone to meet him at the cemetery. "
That's very odd. "I will look for him when I'm out."
"Thank you," she said sincerely. She ran down the street, the first bit of moonlight licked at my feet. Slowly the painful breaking and reforming of my bones began. My spine curled downward in a splintering snap,
I howled out in pain. My eyesight shifted and my senses heightened. I raced down the trail keeping a good distance from the town. Fight my instincts I thought as I ran to the mine, scratching at the door.
Grumpy opened the door staring at the wolf in front of him. "Ruby what is it?" I shook my furry head pulling the note off and leaving it. She must have left all the instructions on it because he turned to me. "We will have them ready by morning."
I took off along the night. The wind ripped through my hair. My feet beating the dirt underfoot. I stopped at the cemetery, Everything in this form is clear as day. I walked over to the graves, nothing looks upturned. Until I saw Neal's grave. The mud was fresh someone had dug here. My heart picked up, I could smell him and where his cane hit the tree. Then another smell so familiar smell hit my nose. Sniffing at the earth I dug a bit where the smell was the strongest. A watch. I knew this watch, it's Dr. Whales. I sniffed it. It's definestly Whales. I huffed through my nose angrily, he was the one who Gold was meeting. I dug up the earth in fury and ran to the top the hill. I flung my head back and howled, I hoped that everyone knew that Whales and Rumpelstiltskin unearth Neal's grave.
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