Hello Everyone!
I can't believe its almost been two months since I've updated this story. Those of you who follow my blog know more about why it's taken me so long to update, but basically, the past two months have been crazy in a myriad of ways and I suffered debilitation Writer's Block even when I had writing time. But now school is back in session, and I only have two days of school a week, and I'm getting back into a regular schedule. So I hope to update every weekend.
This is the Heart is A Lonely Huntsman chapter, so you all should know what's coming.
And now of course we're less than a month away from the season 4 premiere. Hopefully this story makes the rest of the hiatus a little better.
As always, feel free to ask any questions via reviews or PM or on tumblr at captainswanapproved.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Reviews are magical.
Chapter 8
Graham Humbert was on his lunch break when his phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket, and answered with a clipped greeting.
"Sheriff, I am in need of your services. Come to the house at 10 PM after Henry is asleep."
"Of course, Madame Mayor," said Graham.
He was on duty tonight. He would have to get Emma to cover for him. With that, he laid a twenty dollar bill on the table and headed towards the bakery. He'd need something to sweeten the deal.
Graham strolled into the station carrying a box of bear claws.
Emma was sitting behind the desk, her feet propped on the polished surface, as she read a file. She looked up at him, a brow lifting curiously.
"Sometimes the cliches are true," he said, offering her a pastry.
"Okay, so what do you want?"
"Remember when I said no night shifts? Well I need you to work tonight. Just this once."
Emma frowned. "Why?
"I volunteer at an animal shelter, and the supervisor is sick, and someone needs to feed the dogs."
He was lying to her. However, it wasn't really any of her business what he did with his nights. She'd cover for him just this once. "You're lucky you brought a bear claw."
Later that night, Graham headed for the mayor's house. He knocked softly to avoid waking Henry, as per Regina's instructions. She answered the door and pulled him inside. Only this time she dragged him into her office instead of her bedroom.
"In here?" asked Graham doubtfully.
Regina rolled her eyes. "I didn't ask you over here for that Sheriff. What I need from you is of a more serious nature." She went and sat behind her desk, rummaging in the drawer and removing a silk bag. She dropped the bag into her lap, and reached inside, hiding the contents from him.
"Tomorrow you will find Mary Margaret Blanchard."
"Has she gone missing?" asked Graham.
Regina shook her head. "No, you idiot. I need you to make her disappear."
"Regina, I'm the Sheriff of this town, what you're asking is impossible." He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
Regina stared at him, her lips quirking up into a cruel smile. "You will find Mary Margaret Blanchard and deliver a message to her. You will tell her she should have listened to me all those years ago. You will tell her that she brought it upon herself. And then you will grab her by the throat and strangle her."
Graham's eyes glazed over. "It will be done."
"And precisely in that manner. I wouldn't want there to be any kind of murder weapon that could lead to you. You'll contact me the moment that the deed is done. Now get out of here. Go through the window, so Henry won't see you."
Graham nodded and shuffled over to the open window but Regina's voice called him back before he left. "Oh and Graham, you won't remember this in the morning. No one will be able to pin this on me. You'll simply carry out my instructions, and report back to me, and if you do not do as you're told you'll suffer the consequences."
His head whipped around and he thought he saw flashing blue and red lights. It would be very unfortunate if Emma caught him climbing out of the Mayor's house while she was on patrol.
Emma pulled up beside the Mayor's house, after having seen a shadowy figure on top of the roof. As much as she disliked Regina, she couldn't help the fear lancing through her heart as she hoped that Henry was still safe and fast asleep.
She crept into the bushes, her fingers curled around the outdated police baton. She heard thee footfalls of the stranger, and she lunged out, hitting him square in the chest. The figure doubled over in pain and Emma's eyes widened as she recognized her boss. "Graham, what the hell are you doing here? Is this what you call volunteering?"
Graham looked up at Emma, and she could see the guilt etched in his features, but it did little to soothe her nerves.
"Plan's changed," he said. "Regina needed me to—"
"Sleep with her? This is the relationship that Killian doesn't approve of? You do that while Henry is in the house?"
"He's asleep, and he doesn't know. Anyway ... that's not what I was here for tonight," said Graham.
"Sure," said Emma sarcastically, "This is absolutely disgusting." She threw her keys at him. "You can finish my shift. I'm never working nights again."
"Emma wait," called Graham.
But she had already turned away from him.
Graham woke up early the next day. There was an ache in his chest. He almost felt hollow. There was something though, that was forcing him to dress quickly. He did not swing by the diner for his usual cup of coffee. He called Emma at the station and told her that he would not be able to make it in today.
When she asked him why, he avoided the question, saying only that he had something important to do. He got in the squad car and headed towards Regina's vault.
He slammed his foot on the breaks when a wolf suddenly appeared in the middle of the road. His heart felt like it was slamming in his chest. The wolf raised it's head. The creature was sleek and almost majestic. The only thing out of the ordinary were its eyes, one black as pitch, and the other blood red.
The wolf seemed to study him briefly before heading off in the opposite direction.
Graham shrugged, and continued driving. It was as if some invisible force was pulling him towards the vault.
The cool November air was bracing, and Snow couldn't help but feel relieved to be wandering around in the woods. Mr. Gold had told her that she wasn't needed in the shop today, so she was left with a blissful morning to herself.
This world was filled with many strange new things, and her friends and family were graced with false sets of memories, but here in the woods, she almost felt like she was back home again. She could almost forget about the curse, and about Regina's threat. She felt safe and calm out here.
Snow heard the crunching of leaves behind her, and she turned to see Sheriff Graham standing just a few feet away from the Mills Family Crypt.
"Sheriff, what can I do for you?"
Graham moved a few steps closer. "I've come to deliver a message from the mayor."
Emma was flipping through some files when she heard a scratching on the door. Emma continued to study her file, and only looked up when the scratching grew more insistent.
Emma sighed and went to open the door, only to find a wolf with mismatched eyes staring up at her. "What the hell?"
The wolf nudged its nose against her calf, and growled. Then it turned and ran off towards the yellow bug, stopping to look at her, almost as if it was expecting her to follow it.
Emma was about to turn and head back into the station when a howl pierced the early morning silence. "You have got to be kidding me," Emma huffed as she took her keys from her pocket and got into her car. Once her seat belt was buckled, the wolf began running along the side of the road.
Emma couldn't ignore the nagging voice in the corner of her mind telling her that something bad was about to happen. She sped up to match the wolf's pace. Five minutes later the wolf stopped at the edge of the woods. Emma scanned her surroundings, and a feeling of dread settled over her as she saw an array of tombstones sprinkled between the trees.
Not too far off was a large stone mausoleum. She could see two figures in the shadows of the trees.
Something was definitely wrong here.
"You should have listened to Regina all those years ago. You shouldn't have told her secret."
Snow's eyes widened, and she stood frozen in place as Graham drew nearer. His eyes were dull, and Snow had a feeling that Regina was behind this. "What exactly do you remember?" asked Snow, trying to keep her voice firm.
"You brought this upon yourself, you know," continued Graham, ignoring her question, and taking a few steps closer. "After all these years you're going to pay the price for your mistakes."
Before she could do anything, Graham had forced her to the ground, his fingers curling around her throat and Snow's scream was cut off by his grasp.
She tried with all her might to escape his grip, but he was a man possessed.
It was oddly like that day in the forest, only this time the huntsman would finally finish the job. Snow would never get to tell her daughter how much she loved her. She'd never see her husband or her friends again. She only hoped that Emma would break the curse.
It was Graham. Graham and Mary Margaret, and as soon as Graham attacked, Emma sprang into action. "Graham, stop!" cried Emma, as she ran towards them. "Get off of her."
"Get away, Emma," shouted Graham over his shoulder. His eyes were blood shot, a cruel and dark expression had taken over his features, and in that moment she did not recognize him.
Without hesitation, Emma joined the fray, seizing Graham around the middle and dragging him off of Mary Margaret. "What the hell are you doing?" she shouted.
"Settling an old debt," Graham growled. And he would have thrown her off of him, but the wolf appeared behind Emma, and their eyes met. Graham sagged against Emma, the anger fading away in an instant.
Emma looked over at Mary Margaret, who was covered in dirt from head to foot. "You saved my life," she said.
"I guess I did," said Emma."Are you okay?" It was a ridiculous question. Graham had just tried to kill Mary Margaret, of course she wasn't okay, but Emma could think of nothing else to say.
"Emma," said Graham from behind her. "I can explain."
"I seriously doubt that. I'm going to take Mary Margaret home. Meet me back at the station."
Emma's tone brooked no argument, and Graham simply nodded. "Mary Margaret, I—"
The other woman placed a hand on his. "It wasn't your fault," she said. "Let's go Emma."
Emma looked at Mary Margaret as if she had two heads, but the other woman was already leading her away.
"What was that all about?" Emma questioned, as she put the car into drive.
Snow hesitated. She couldn't very well tell Emma that she was Snow White and that Graham was really the huntsman. She couldn't tell her how she suspected that Regina was controlling the sheriff via his heart and had ordered him to kill her.
"It's nothing important," said Snow.
Emma shook her head in disbelief and was just about to say something when her cell phone rang. Killian's name was flashing across the screen. If he was calling during school hours it must be important. "Hello?"
"Emma, I need you to come down to the school as soon as possible. It's about Henry."
"What—"
"Just come, please."
"I'll be right over," said Emma, closing the phone.
"What's wrong?"
"That was Killian, something is wrong with Henry. I have to get to the school."
Mary Margaret nodded. "I can walk home from here, Emma."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," said Mary Margaret, and Emma pulled over.
Mary Margaret waved from the curb as Emma drove off. As soon as the yellow bug was around the corner, her shoulders slumped. Lying to her daughter would be nearly impossible, but until she could gather proof that the curse was real, she would have to watch what she said.
"Emma!" said Henry, running into her arms as soon as she entered the classroom.
Killian had dismissed the rest of his students for lunch hour. She could see the concern and fear etched in his features.
"What's the matter, kid?" asked Emma.
"Is it true? Did something happen to Mary Margaret?"
Emma's eyes widened in panic, something that definitely did not escape Killian's notice. "She's safe at home, kid," Emma assured him. "Why do you ask?"
"My mom came and said that she was found in the woods. She said that she was hurt and transported to the hospital."
It didn't make any sense for Regina to know about what had happened, unless she had somehow convinced Graham to attack Mary Margaret. Emma knew that Graham was in Regina's pocket, but this just seemed insane. "You don't have to worry about Mary Margaret," said Emma calmly, running her fingers through Henry's hair and hugging him tightly. "Regina must have heard wrong."
"Good," said Henry, sounding relieved.
"Will you be okay the rest of the day, Henry?" asked Emma.
Henry nodded.
"Okay, I have to go take care of something. Go home with Killian after school today, okay?"
"Okay," said Henry with a smile.
"Can you spare a private moment before you go, Swan?" asked Killian.
Henry looked between the two of them, and ducked out of the classroom.
Emma averted her gaze.
Killian sighed and stepped closer, reaching for her hand. She flinched away from the contact. "Emma, what's going on, love?"
"I can't go into it right now," said Emma quickly.
"Emma please," Killian urged, "talk to me."
"Something almost happened to Mary Margaret, and I think Regina might have been behind it. But I'm not sure. I have to go investigate." Emma was visibly shaking, and Killian could see the fear in her eyes. He moved closer, slipping an arm around her waist, and for a moment they just stood and stared at each other.
"I have to go," said Emma after several minutes. "I promise I'll tell you everything tonight."
Killian nodded and dropped his hand. "Call me if you need anything."
"I will, " Emma promised, before turning to leave the classroom.
The wolf had followed him back to the station and now it was staring at him with wide mismatched eyes. Graham stroked him behind the ears and suddenly it was as if he was transported to another world. He was surrounded by trees, and dressed in strange clothing. A woman with long dark hair was in front of her, holding a letter. "Will you give this to Regina after I'm gone?"
Graham's eyes snapped open. He'd just seen Mary Margaret, only she'd looked different. He'd looked different. Yet everything seemed familiar. Almost like it was a memory of another life. Maybe Henry's curse theory was actually true.
The door to the station swung open and Emma marched in, her mouth set in a firm line. "Why did you do it?" she demanded.
"I don't know," said Graham.
"That's not good enough. You almost killed someone this morning. I should throw you in the cell," said Emma.
"Maybe you should," acknowledged Graham.
"Wait, what?"
"I don't know what came over me this morning, but I do know that I wasn't myself. If that happens again, who knows who I might try to hurt. We're supposed to protect this town and all its citizens, and until we get to the bottom of this, it seems that I am incapable of doing so."
Emma's mouth fell open in shock. "Graham?"
"Just do it," said Graham, standing up and tossing her his keys. Then he stepped into the vacant cell. Before Emma could take another step, the wolf joined Graham in the cell and she raised an eyebrow.
"It's fine, Emma. He's a friend, I think."
"If you say so," said Emma, closing the cell door and locking it. "I will get to the bottom of this. Just one more question. Do you think Regina asked you do do this?"
Graham stared at Emma, his heart throbbing painfully in his chest. "No."
Emma didn't even have to look at him to know he was lying.
"Miss Swan, this is a surprise," said Regina coolly.
"Sure," said Emma, slamming Regina's office door behind her.
Regina looked up from her stack of paper work. "Is this going to take long, Miss Swan?"
"It depends. I need to ask you about two things. Why did you lie to Henry about Mary Margaret Blanchard, and what did you offer Graham to attack her this morning?"
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you are talking about," said Regina carefully. "Now if you'll excuse me, I actually have important matters to attend to."
Emma folded her arms over her chest. "Fine. If you want to continue with this innocent act, then Henry is going to stay with me and Killian until I get to the bottom of this. I'm not comfortable with my son living with a possible sociopath."
Regina's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Henry is my son, and he will stay where he is. You have no legal rights to take him away from me."
Emma moved so she was standing right over Regina. "I am taking my son back, and there is nothing you can do about it."
Regina scoffed. "You don't frighten me."
"Maybe not, but if I was in your position, I wouldn't want to be the number one suspect behind an attempt at murder."
"You have no proof," said Regina.
"Not yet, but if I find any, the whole town will know about it. You wouldn't want that."
Regina huffed. "I can see you're not going to change your mind. I wouldn't want anyone in this town making something out of nothing, which is what this is. So by all means, he can stay with you. But the second the real perpetrator is found, I am taking my son back. Good day, Miss Swan. Kindly get out of my office now."
Emma knew to quit while she was ahead, so she whirled around and left the office.
Regina sat at her desk, thrumming her fingers against the wood. Graham had failed in his task, and she was dumbfounded. Her deal with Gold had been that she herself could not harm Snow White. Graham should have been able to do the deed, but it would be just like the little imp to make sure that there were no loopholes in their deal.
However, Regina Mills was never without a plan. She picked up her office phone and dialed. "Sydney, I might need a favor. Come to my office immediately."
Killian ended up releasing his students earlier than usual that day. He couldn't ignore the feeling that Emma was in trouble. His students, of course, were grateful for a reprieve. Henry lingered in the back of the classroom waiting for his classmates to file out before he picked up his backpack. "Are we going, Killian?"
"I am going to go to the station, but first I will drop you off at the loft."
"Why can't I come?" asked Henry.
"Because," said Killian.
"Something happened today, didn't it?" said Henry, "something that you and Emma aren't telling me."
Henry took Killian's silence as confirmation. "It's okay, you know. I trust you. And we're all in Operation Cobra together."
"Aye, that we are, lad," said Killian. "Now let's get going."
Killian stepped into the station to find it vacant, that is until he saw Graham sitting in the cell. "Humbert, what are you doing in there, and with a wolf?"
"It's a long story," said Graham, "And you'll think it's crazy."
"Since Emma isn't here, I've got the time," said Killian pulling up a chair and sitting in front of the cell.
Graham sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Do you believe in other lives?"
"Like life after death?" asked Killian.
"No, past lives."
"Oh, like Henry's curse."
"You know about that too?" asked Graham.
"I'm his teacher and I'm the one who gave him the book."
"Then I guess you know who I'm supposed to be."
"Henry seems to think you are the Huntsman from—" and then it suddenly all came together. Whatever Emma wasn't telling him about what happened to Mary Margaret was likely right out of the stories. "I see."
"I did something this morning. I was out of control. Fortunately Emma arrived and pulled me off just in time."
Killian frowned. "You sound rather calm considering the fact that you almost killed someone," he said.
"I can't hurt anyone from in here ,Jones. Everyone is safe."
Killian looked unconvinced. "Why did you do it?"
"I don't know. Ever since Emma came to town things have started to change. Surely you've noticed it too. Regina has been more on edge, Mary Margaret turned up out of nowhere. This wolf appeared despite the fact that a wolf has never before been spotted in Storybrooke. Henry really could be onto something."
"He's a clever lad," acknowledged Killian, fidgeting in his seat.
Graham stared at Killian for a long moment. "You've been remembering things too haven't you?"
"Excuse me?"
"You've always had a terrible poker face, Jones," said Graham.
"Well, I'm not sure," said Killian."They don't seem like memories. Only nightmares. In any case, I don't have an animal companion from the bloody Enchanted Forest." Killian eyed the wolf warily.
"But you are remembering things," said Graham seriously.
"Aye," said Killian.
"Have you told Emma?"
"She's aware," said Killian, "But she doesn't believe in the curse."
"Well you are just going to have to help her," said Graham.
"And you think it's as simple as that?"
"I think so. She trusts you. Anyone can see it. And you care about her. You'll be able to do it in the right way. You and Henry."
"How did you know?" asked Killian.
"It's written all over your face whenever you're with her," said Graham. "Don't wait forever to tell her. Take it from me, it's better to feel something, than nothing at all."
"Thanks, Humbert," said Killian. "Well, I'd better get back home. And Graham?"
"Yes?"
"Emma and I will get to the bottom of all of this," said Killian.
"If anyone can do it, it's the two of you," said Graham sagely.
Killian turned at the sound of feet pounding against the pavement and was surprised to see Henry running towards him.
"Killian guess what—"
"Henry, you were supposed to wait at the apartment," said Killian.
"Well, I just thought about what might be the cause of your memories coming back," said Henry.
"Enlighten me," asked Killian, fidgeting and scratching behind his ear.
Henry turned red. "Well, Emma is the Savior and the product of True Love. So if you two . . . um . . "
Now Killian was turning red as well. He'd been afraid of this.
Henry was watching him carefully. "Well, did you?
Excuse me?" stammered Killian.
"Did you kiss my mom?"
"Aye," said Killian after a long, awkward moment.
Henry's face brightened."True Love's Kiss can break any curse," said Henry.
"Lad, I don't think I can classify myself as your mother's true love."
"Well, maybe not yet," said Henry, "both of you have to believe in it for it to work. So you're just going to have to win my mom's heart," said Henry, his eyes shining.
"Henry—"
"Don't worry, Killian, you're already on the right track. She likes you. I can tell."
Killian sighed. There would be no arguing with the boy. He laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's get back to the apartment."
Twenty minutes later, Henry was longing on the sofa watching Peter Pan as Killian was making cocoa.
As he mixed the chocolate into the cups, Killian couldn't get Henry's declaration out of his mind. He'd never believed in True Love, but the mere possibility that he could be Emma's was incredible. From the moment he met her, he had felt a connection with her, and if he was being completely honest with himself he was already halfway in love with her, and as the days went by, he was only falling harder and faster.
He had cautioned Henry to not bring his theory to Emma's attention just yet. It would scare her off. Henry had nodded in agreement and figured that they would know when the time was right.
Killian topped off the cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon and then sat down beside Henry on the sofa.
The animated Captain Hook appeared on the screen in front of him and Henry laughed. "That could be you, Killian."
"I assure you that I am nowhere near as cowardly at that codfish," said Killian dryly.
"My mom always loved Peter Pan, she even told me she had a crush on Captain Hook when she was a little girl," said Henry with a smirk.
"Your mother had peculiar tastes then," Killian shot back.
"What did I have?" asked Emma from behind them.
Neither of them had even noticed the door opening.
"Your boy was just telling me that you had a crush on Captain Hook, when you were younger. Perhaps I should grow a wax mustache."
"Please don't," said Emma before turning to her son. "All right, kid, you're going to be staying here from now on."
"I am?" asked Henry.
"Yes, I spoke with Regina and we came to an agreement."
"Okay," said Henry.
Emma's heart clenched when she saw how relieved he looked. She didn't know much about Henry's home life with Regina, but by what little she knew, she could tell it was pretty miserable. She was glad she could take him out of this toxic environment. Although, she couldn't ignore the fact that it was odd that she and Henry were living with his teacher. But as far as Emma could tell, Killian cared for Henry way more than Regina.
It was bizarre, but as long as Henry was happy and safe, she would be satisfied.
The three of them had a quiet evening. Killian went and picked up burgers from Grannie's and then they finished watching Peter Pan together. Afterwards Henry went upstairs to finish his homework before going to bed, leaving Killian and Emma alone to talk.
Emma had successfully warded off Henry's questions about what had happened with Mary Margaret all evening, but she knew she owed Killian the truth.
He moved closer to her on the sofa, and was tempted to wrap his arm around her shoulder, but he refrained. "Swan, it will help if you tell me all about it," said Killian.
"How do you know?" asked Emma.
"Call it a gut feeling," said Killian. "I spoke with Graham today, and I can only imagine how shaken up you are."
Emma's eyes widened. "Did he say something?"
"About you? Not exactly. But he did tell me about what he tried to do. You're a hero, Swan. You saved a life today."
"I don't feel like a hero," admitted Emma. "What if I hadn't gotten there in time?"
"You did," said Killian. "Everything will be fine. We'll get to the bottom of all this."
"None of this makes sense. I can't ignore my instinct that Regina is behind all of this, but I seriously doubt Graham would try and kill someone."
Killian glanced at her, and opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again.
"What?" Emma questioned.
"Emma, love, I know you don't want to think about this, but there is a possible explanation."
"Don't bring up the curse again," said Emma.
"Well, Humbert was supposedly the Huntsman, and in Henry's book, Regina used his heart to control him."
"Graham isn't walking around without a heart," scoffed Emma. "Besides, it's crazy."
"I'm beginning to think it's not," said Killian. "I had another nightmare. I think I had a brother and—"
Emma looked at him, waiting for him to finish.
"He died," said Killian.
Emma frowned. She gripped his hand. "I'm sorry, Killian, but I still don't see how that proves anything."
"Henry knows," said Killian.
"Excuse me?"
"He knows that you and I kissed, and he thinks it's why my memories have started coming back."
Emma's cheeks started to go red. "You've been very busy today, talking to Graham, talking to Henry."
"Emma, I wasn't going to tell him. But when he asked me directly, I couldn't lie to him."
Emma nodded. "Well, I suppose it's not the end of the world that he knows," said Emma. "I would have had to tell him eventually, I suppose, especially with our new living situation."
Killian smiled. "Aye. By the way, are you going to tell me just how you managed to get Regina to allow Henry to stay here?"
"Blackmail," Emma admitted.
"Not many are brave enough to challenge Regina," said Killian with admiration. "You're one hell of a woman."
Emma grinned. "Don't you forget it," she said. "Well, I guess I should get to sleep. I should set up the couch."
Killian put a finger to her lips. "No, you'll take my bed. What sort of a gentleman would I be if I made you sleep on the couch. Besides, you're already acquainted with it."
Emma rolled her eyes and smacked him lightly. "I feel bad for stealing your bed."
"You can't steal what's been given willingly," said Killian. "You've had a rough day, and you'll need a good night's rest."
"Killian—"
He shushed her. "Go to bed, love."
Emma shot him a smile. "Thanks." She squeezed his hand before retreating to his bedroom.
A few minutes later, Emma was in her pajamas. The thick curtain was drawn and she climbed into Killian's bed. It smelled like him, like spice and aftershave and rum. It was comforting, and she quickly fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Killian had pulled out the sofa sleeper and was trying to find a comfortable position. It was the height of irony that Emma Swan was finally in his bed, but he was unable to join her.
They weren't in a relationship after all, and Emma seemed rather determined to deny whatever it was that was between them.
Killian was nothing if not a patient man, and he already knew that Emma Swan was a woman worth fighting for, and he would win her heart with honor.
As Killian fell asleep that night, Henry's words about True Love and the curse rang through his head.
Regina Mills had attempted to busy herself in paperwork until it was late enough for her to move forward. The house seemed empty without Henry, and she cursed Emma Swan for taking him away from her. However, dealing with Emma Swan would have to wait.
She had a bigger issue at the moment. Graham had not carried out her orders, and for that he would be punished. She would take the only thing he had left to give. His life. She just had to wait until the opportune moment.
It was near midnight when Regina removed Graham's glowing heart from its box and shoved it in her purse. She'd gotten word from Sidney that the good sheriff was spending the evening locked up in one of the jail cells. The man had always been too honorable for his own good. It was a trait that Regina had failed to squash over the past twenty eight years.
Well, soon that would no longer be a problem.
Regina's feet pounded against the pavement as she made her way to the station. She unlocked the door with her own personal set of keys— being the mayor had many perks, after all— and entered the dark station.
Something growled at her.
"Who's there?" called Graham. By the sound of it he'd been sleeping.
"Your Queen," said Regina, as she turned on all the lights.
"Regina, what are you doing here?"
"You failed me, Graham. You're no longer of use to me. Do you know what I do to those who are no longer of use to me? I get rid of them."
Graham gulped. "How did I fail you," he asked, trying to delay the inevitable.
"You were supposed to get rid of Mary Margaret, and yet she is still here. Perfectly fine."
"Regina I—"
"No, you don't get to speak. You don't get to do anything."
The wolf growled again and Regina's eyes went to the beast. "Ah, I see you've met an old friend. He won't be able to save you."
"So it's true. The curse. All of it," said Graham.
"Yes," said Regina. "And you, Huntsman, are still my pet. I can see the fear in your eyes, you always were easy to read." She stepped closer, like a predator stalking its prey.
"Regina, please, give me another chance. You don't need to do this."
Regina shook her head. "Oh Graham, I should have known you wouldn't be able to kill her. You've never been able to do anything in cold blood. You're weak and pathetic."
"Then what does that make you?" countered Graham. "You took away the happy endings of an entire realm all because of a decade long grudge against a child. And what has it gotten you? An unhappy child and a town of people who are afraid of you. You have nothing good in your life. No love, no happiness."
"That Snow White is deprived of her happy ending is good enough for me," said Regina. "And I have a son that loves me."
"Then why did he run away, chasing after a woman he never met?"
"How dare you," Regina spat.
"You're not going to win, Regina. This curse will be broken."
"No. It won't," said Regina. "Because you're not going to see the light of day, and no one will ever believe a child." With that she withdrew Graham's pulsing heart from her bag.
Graham's eyes widened in horror.
"You see this, Graham? This has been mine for the past 30 years, ever since you failed to kill Snow White the first time." Her fingers clenched around the organ and Graham doubled over in pain. "So soft and weak." She squeezed again, and Graham fell to the floor, his chest heaving.
Regina opened the cell, and knelt beside him. "Goodbye, Sheriff." With that she pressed her lips to his and crushed his heart into dust.
The life drained out of Graham's eyes, and Regina smiled. "What a pity."
She locked the cell, turned off the lights and walked out of the station, leaving everything as it was. No one would be able to trace this back to her. She removed her gloves and tossed them away.
The mournful howl of the wolf pierced the nighttime silence.
When Emma woke up the next day, it took her a moment to recall where she was. She'd slept in Killian's bed, and would be for the foreseeable future. She half expected to roll over and find Killian beside her, and when she did, and found the other side empty, she was a little bit disappointed, which of course was insane.
She was not in a relationship with Killian, and it was crazy that she was even entertaining the possibility.
She heard Killian and Henry chatting in the kitchen, and she glanced at the alarm clock on the side table. It was 7:30 am.
She had to be at the station in thirty minutes. She dressed quickly, and wandered over to the kitchen table.
"Good morning, Emma," said Henry cheerily.
"Good morning, kid. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah," said Henry. "Killian made french toast."
Emma glanced at Killian, who was cleaning up. "You did?"
"Aye. I thought Henry would like something special his first morning here. I made you a plate." He brought it over a minute later, along with a steaming cup of coffee.
"Thanks," said Emma, digging in. "It's delicious."
Killian grinned. "I'm glad you approve. Well, lad, shall we get to school?"
Henry glanced at the clock. "Yeah," said Henry. "See you after school, Emma." He hugged her from behind, grabbed his backpack and hurried out of the apartment.
"He seems eager to get to school," observed Emma.
"It's the sugar," said Killian.
In truth, Henry wanted to tell Killian about a new phase of Operation Cobra, but he'd sworn Killian to secrecy. "Well, Swan, I'm off to work."ma, with a smirk.
"Cute," said Killian. "I'll see you this afternoon?"
"Yeah, make sure that Regina doesn't swoop in and demand to take Henry home with her."
"I wouldn't dream of allowing that," said Killian, scratching behind his ear.
Emma looked up at him. "Is there anything else?"
"I was wondering if—" Killian paused, "Actually, it's not important. Have a good day, Emma." Then he turned abruptly and left the apartment.
Emma watched him leave with curiosity. If she didn't know any better she would have guessed that Killian was trying to ask her out. But that was ridiculous.
"So, did you do it?" asked Henry as they headed towards the school.
"No," said Killian.
"Why not?" asked Henry. "I bet she would have said yes."
"Trust me, Henry, it wasn't the right moment. This is going to take time."
Henry sighed. "Yeah, I guess," he conceded.
When Emma arrived at the station she immediately sensed that something was wrong. She unlocked the door and stepped in, scanning the room, only to find Graham collapsed on the floor.
"Graham!" shouted Emma, running to the cell and fumbling to unlock the door.
She was by his side in an instant, shaking him hard, and shouting his name. "Graham, wake up!" He was unresponsive and his skin was cool to the touch.
Emma pressed her ear against his chest and she heard nothing. His heart wasn't beating. He was gone.
No. No. No. Not again.
Everyone in her life had left her. Friends, her foster families and — no she wouldn't think of him now. Not when the sheriff was lying dead in her arms.
Tears began to form in the corner of her eyes as she called for an ambulance.
Doctor Whale arrived several long and painful moments afterwards, flanked by paramedics. They lifted Graham onto the gurney as Emma watched, her eyes sparkling with tears. She didn't understand how this was possible. He was young and healthy, probably not much older than her, and now he was gone.
Emma stood by Doctor Whale in the hospital as he surveyed Graham's body.
It was determined that Graham had died of natural causes.
She wiped the tears from her eyes as Doctor Whale filled out the coroner's report. "Well, Deputy Swan, I don't think you're needed here any longer. I suggest you go home and get some rest."
"Can I have a moment to say goodbye?
Doctor Whale nodded and left the room.
Emma laid her hand on Graham's. "Thank you for everything," she whispered.
It was all she could think of to say. She hadn't known Graham for long, but he had given her a job, and she liked to think that they would have grown to be good friends. Now he was gone, and she'd have to deal with losing someone all over again.
At least she wasn't alone this time. Now she had Henry, and—
Emma whipped her cell phone out and dialed his number, not caring that he was in class. "Killian, can you meet me at home? I — I need you."
The call had taken him by surprise. He could hear the sorrow in Emma's voice and he knew that something was amiss. So he walked across the hall, and asked one of his colleagues to watch his class.
He didn't care if he'd get in trouble later. Emma needed him.
When he arrived back at the apartment he found Emma curled up on the couch. She looked up at him and her eyes were rimmed with red. "Killian," she said, her voice shaking.
Killian lost no time in going over to the couch and pulling her into his arms.
She pressed herself against his chest. She was shaking horribly, and her breath hitched as she tried to hold back a sob.
"What's the matter, love?"
"Graham died last night," said Emma. "He was on the floor in his cell when I came into the station. His heart wasn't beating." She choked back another sob, and pressed her face against Killian's shoulder.
"Emma, darling, I am so sorry. He was a good man," Kllian's voice faltered. It was a rare occurrence for Killian to be at a loss for words.
They sat there on the sofa for what seemed like hours. Killian ran his fingers through her hair and pressed gentle kisses to the crown of her head and held her as she cried.
Her breath eventually evened out, and she looked up at him, her beautiful green eyes still sparkling with tears. "Thank you for coming," she whispered.
"Nothing would have kept me away, Emma," said Killian, pulling her closer.
"I just can't believe he's gone. I know you two weren't that close, but you'll miss him, won't you?"
"Of course. Graham Humbert was a good man, and he kept the town safe for years. Although admittedly, he mostly kept Regina at bay, which was certainly no easy task."
The corner's of Emma's mouth lifted slightly. Even at the worst of times, Killian was able to make her feel better. She'd never had that before. She had just lost someone, but as she looked up at Killian, she had a feeling that he would never leave her. Perhaps it was that singular fact that gave her the courage to lean in and press her lips to his.
She could feel his surprise, but after a moment he was kissing her back. One hand buried itself in her curls, while the other one was resting on her lower back. She kissed him with all of the emotions that she'd kept pent up ever since their first kiss. Now that she was vulnerable, her true emotions came rushing to the surface. She needed Killian. It was a terrifying prospect, and she had a feeling that in the morning she would try to deny it once more. But in that moment, that one perfect moment, she allowed herself to take comfort in being with the man that she very possibly was starting to fall for.
When they pulled apart, Killian brushed an errant tear away. "Emma," he breathed.
"Don't say anything," she pleaded. "Just hold me."