Will Scarlet emerged from the side of a brick building, taking in the warm day and the light breeze. A car zoomed by on the road to his left, making him jump. He hadn't been to this world in a long time, and it would take some getting used to again.

If he was planning on staying.

"How slow can you be?" Will asked as the White Rabbit jumped out of the portal and landed beside him.

"Well pardon me," the Rabbit retorted, brushing off his shirt. "I am the one who agreed to do this, you know."

"Yeah, and I also said I wanted it done quickly. So 'ere we go, and try not to let anyone see you." Will had been careful to change into his modern clothes before he left, but there really wasn't anything you could do about a talking rabbit.

Will started off down the sidewalk, vaguely remembering the layout of the town. However, it seemed much different than when he had lived here. The library was up and running. The clock tower was fully functioning. Many stores had changed names.

But up ahead, Will smiled to himself as he saw one thing that hadn't changed: Granny's.

Out on the patio, Will searched for a suitable hiding place for the White Rabbit. "Go wait over there. I'll only be a minute." He pointed at a rotting picnic bench, leaning on its side against the fence. The Rabbit nodded his assent and hopped behind the table, completely covered.

"That takes care of that," Will mumbled as he straightened his jacket. The article of clothing was really unnecessary on a day like this, he noted, but it made him feel more comfortable in this unfamiliar town.

Will braced himself for the biggest berating of his life as he walked through the door to the diner. It was crowded inside, and he wasn't really noticed. Or so he thought.

"Who's he?"

He heard the murmur come from below him. His head snapped in the direction of the voice and found himself staring into the face of a boy sitting in a booth, probably just at the beginning of his teenage years.

A woman with long, blonde hair, probably his mother, gave Will an apologetic smile from the other side of the booth, though apprehension was clear in her eyes. "Sorry, it's just that we don't really see new people around here often." She extended her arm. "Emma Swan, Sheriff."

Emma? he wondered. He didn't remember anything about an Emma last time he was here. The Sheriff had been some tall brown-haired bloke. Where was he?

It took him a moment to remember he was supposed to shake her hand, and did. "Will Scarlet. It's nice to meet you, Emma, and there's no offense taken." He half-smiled at the kid. "I lived here a long time ago. Had to leave quickly, so I'm just coming back for my things." He pulled his room key from his jeans pocket and flashed it in front of his face. "You think Granny's let my room yet?"

Emma nodded slowly, a small smile on her face. "Oh, so you're the one she keeps going on about."

"Yep." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "That's me I suppose."

"Well, she'll finally be happy to have that room empty. Good luck wherever you're going."

"Thank you." He began to walk away, maneuvering through the tables and people.

"Will?"

He heard Emma call his name and looked over his shoulder, eyebrows raised expectantly.

"Welcome to Storybrooke."