Chapter 5: A taste of her own medicine

"Don't tell me you still don't know what's going on," Regina said, tapping her hands heavily at the hospital receptionist's desk, "I am not paying you to do nothing,"

"Well, madam mayor, no offense but isn't that the sheriff's job?"

"Do not question me. Who gave you that authority?"

"Madam Mayor," Emma Swan said as she came up to Regina.

"Miss Swan," Regina said, "what are you doing here?"

"I called her up," The nurse said, "I mean, she's sheriff."

"I didn't ask you to do that," Regina said.

"But I'm already here," Emma said, "And I don't see anything wrong with me being here. Maybe I could help, it's my job, after all."

Regina took a deep breath.

"What happened?" Emma asked, "What's going on?"

"Miss Swan, why would you want to work for me?"

"Because it's my job?"

Regina raised an eyebrow, "Fine," She said, "But you cannot let Mr. Gold know about this."

"What does Mr. Gold have to do with this?"

"Nothing," Regina said, "That's why you shouldn't tell him. I don't want him to get worried."

"So...what went on?"

"A patient is lost."

"Lost?"

"She...escaped. She's gone, for some reason."

"And who's this?"

Regina opened her bag, and took a copy of Isabella's file out. She handed it to Emma. Emma opened the folder and saw Isabella's file.

"Isabella French," Emma muttered.

"She's an old friend's daughter," Regina said, "She's...very unstable, she has mental issues and you need to get her back here as soon as possible."

"Okay," Emma said.

"Can I trust you with this, Miss Swan?"

"Of course, Madam Mayor."

"How are you?" John asked Isabella as he visited her that day.

"I'm good," Isabella said, "They're taking care of me."

"Good to hear."

"John," Isabella muttered.

"Yes?"

"I remember you," She said, "I...I don't know, it's blurry but...I know we know each other."

"Isabella," He muttered and took her hand, "I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

John just shook his head, "I'll visit you again, okay? For now, I just have to meet up with Emma. I have something she may wanna see."

"Okay," Isabella said.

"I'll come back."

"Okay," Isabella said, "Keep safe."

"You too."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I did what you asked me to," Emma told Mr. Gold later that day as she came by his house, "I must admit, I like this idea. I mean, Regina needs to know she's not the only one who can play on everyone. But maybe I shouldn't trust you. I mean—"

"Enough, Miss Swan," John said, "Isabella's staying with you and Miss Blanchard. You think I'd entrust her with you if I'm playing on you?"

"What is it with you two, anyway?"

John took a deep breath, "I can't tell you right now. Anyway, There's someone you might wanna see."

"What—"

But before Emma can say anything else, the former sheriff, Graham, came down the stairs.

"Emma," He muttered.

"Good Lord," Emma said, surprised, "Graham."

a/n: I know, shocker, haha, I just felt like doing something where in Graham lives. and He'll have a big part in this story :)