AN: SO SO SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT! Note the rating change. I am going to be going into some of Emma's past in later chapters and want the higher rating just to be on the safe side. Also there is going to be some Emma and Ruby. TW: violence mentioned, language

Emma pulled up to the hotel and handed the keys to the valet. Emma grabbed her duffle from the back and followed Regina into the lobby.

Regina checked them in and gave them each a key. Their rooms were on the 11th floor and had a view of midtown.

Regina and Kathryn shared a room that as conjoined with Henry's room. Emma had the room that was right next door.

They all agreed to shower and head downstairs to the hotel restaurant.

Once they were at their table and sitting Emma asked Henry, "So.. you ready for the real training tomorrow?"

Henry groaned and asked, "What? You mean today didn't count?"

Emma laughed and said, "Nope. That was to test your endurance. We are going to have to work on it. But don't worry about it, you get better with time and practice."

Henry just groaned and let his head fall backwards onto to back of the chair.

Kathryn, Regina, and Emma just laughed.

Kathryn then looked at Emma and asked, "So how long did you live here in New York?"

Emma swallowed a sip of water and said, "Ummm.. The first time about 5 months, that's when I met Tony. The second time was last summer. I was here doing some gigs, but I was only here for maybe a month and a half."

Henry looked at Emma confused, "Wait, I never heard any of your stuff from this summer. And you didn't release any gig info on the facebook page."

Emma smiled and said, "Number one fan here I see.." Henry just blushed, "You're right though, I did't put it up."

Regina looked at Emma and asked, "Why?"

Emma smiled and said, "Different audience, different genre. I don't only do metal and rock you know."

Regina looked surprised, "I mean I know you have an amazing voice, but I thought you only did metal and that screaming stuff."

Emma laughed and said, "Nope... Before that became popular I used to do more pop like songs during open mic nights at bars and pubs."

Emma told Regina, Kathryn, and Henry more about her music and while they were eating dinner.

When they were looking over the dessert menu, one of the busboys walked over to Emma and handed her a piece of paper.

Emma looked at him and nodded. Emma opened the paper and said 'meet me outside 15 minutes. It's important.'

Regina and Kathryn shared a look wondering what and who wrote the note.

Henry oblivious to all of this chimed in, "I want soft serve ice cream."

Regina figured it would be a good opportunity to walk and get ice cream while talking to Emma about the note.

Everyone agreed and the meal was charged to the room. Regina made everyone go upstairs and grab a sweatshirt for the chilly night. About 10 minutes later they were all ready to go.

When they exited the hotel Regina looked to Emma asking her where the closest ice cream place was. Emma thought for a second and said, "About 4 blocks."

Regina nodded and said, "Alright then, lets get moving."

Kathryn and Henry were behind Emma and Regina talking about the newest episode of Hawaii 5O.

Before they crossed the street a man ran past Henry and Kathryn, only to stop in front of Regina and Emma.

The man was tall, white, wearing baggy sweatpants, a white tank, dirty sneakers, and a zip up hoodie with the hood on.

The man took a step forward towards Emma and Regina.

Regina stiffened feeling uncomfortable, Kathryn grabbed Henry by the shoulder and pulled him behind her slightly, while Emma stood stock still yet calm.

The man then took off his hood and took another step closer. Regina tried speaking, "Ex-Excuse me. But can we help you?"

The man just smirked and looked at Emma, finally meeting her eyes. Emma gasped and smiled. She closed the last little bit of space between them and threw her hands around his neck, pulling him in to a tight hug.

The man chuckled and lifted Emma off the ground having her legs wrap around his waist.

The man then put Emma down and said, "Long time V."

Emma nodded with sad smiled and said, "Yeah, yeah it has Beat"

Regina looked between the two confused. Regina then cleared her throat gaining their attention.

Emma smiled and said, "Sorry. Um.. Beat this is my foster mom Regina, her son Henry, and her best friend Kathryn. Guys this is Beat, he's my friend."

Regina smiled and said, "Pleasure to meet you."

Beat smiled and said, "Same. Hey sorry to freak you guys out, I just wanted to sneak up on V here."

Emma rolled her eyes and said, "We were about to get ice cream from Twisties, you want?"

Beat shook his head, "Nah V, I need to get back to work soon and then head home."

Henry then asked, "Why do you call her V?"

Beat looked at Henry and said, "Cause we met at a open mic night and when she gets on stage she is this little thing, dressed in all black and ripped jeans, holding this guitar. So everyone there assumes that she is another wack performer wannabe; but when she starts singing my friends and I all go, 'wow you gotta voice.' So after a while she became known as the one with the good voice. So now we call her V, for voice."

Henry nodded and smiled, "So you're name isn't actually Beat?"

Beat smiled and said, "No. But I used to drop some pretty sick beats"

Emma smiled and said, "Yeah, he used to do some beatboxing for me when we would perform on the train or on the streets."

Henry smiled and said, "Cool!"

Beat looked at his phone and said, "I gotta go soon, but have you umm... seen or heard from Laura?"

Emma shook her head and said, "Last I heard she was still moving, CW hadn't caught her yet."

Beat nodded sadly and pulled out his phone and was nervously twirling it in his hands, "V I know you're not in the scene anymore but if you hear something me and AJ would... you know, we would owe you one."

Emma placed her hand on top of Beat's and said, "Hey, if I hear of anything or see anything I'll let you know."

Beat nodded and handed Emma his phone so she could enter her number. Emma entered her cell number and Regina's, just in case something happened there would always be a way to contact her, then she txted herself.

Beat looked at the time again and said, "I gotta go"

Emma nodded and said, "yeah, go ahead. Hey, tell AJ he's still my favorite."

Beat smiled and said, "V you wound me, my baby brother is no where near as awesome as me."

Beat waved bye and jogged back down the block. Emma smiled and saved Beat's number.

Regina cleared her throat and said, "So Ice Cream?"

Henry quickly answered, "yes! come on! Let's go before they close!"

Emma put her phone away threw her arm around Henry, "Dude what's the rush? This is the city that never sleeps, trust me it's gonna be open."

Regina and Kathryn hung back and watched Emma point to different buildings and explain some of the graffiti to Henry.

Regina smiled at them thinking, This could really be my family.

The next morning Emma woke everyone up at 4:45AM. Henry groaned and Kathryn threw a pillow at Emma.

Henry sleepily made his way to the bathroom to get ready while Regina and Kathryn got dressed.

When they were all ready to go Emma drove them to Tony's. She told Regina and Kathryn to head inside while she and Henry grabbed something to eat from the corner store.

Emma took Henry to the corner store and told him to pick 3 protein bars, four gatorades, and a bottle of water.

Emma paid for everything and walked Henry back to Tony's.

When they entered Regina and Kathryn both were sitting on the couch closest to the ring watching one of the boxers hit the speed bag.

Henry plopped down next to Regina and started to eat his breakfast. Emma warned him to eat it slowly and to not drink too much too fast. After the smoothie Henry followed Emma's instructions to a tee.

Tony spotted them and said, "Ey, what is this book club get your asses over here! Swan treadmill. Kid come over here."

Emma sighed and said, "Here we go."

Henry walked over to Tony. Tony looked him up and down and said, "Kid you sure you're up for this?"

Henry looked confused and said, "yeah?"

Tony lifted an eyebrow and said, "yeah? you sure?"

Henry steeled his expression and confidently said, "Yes."

Tony smiled and said, "there. That's what you always need. Confidence. No body takes your confidence. Now first things first we are putting you on a crash course, so I'll teach you the basics. You want more ask Emma there or come back. Don't do some dumb shit and use that VideoTube thing."

Henry nodded and said, "ok. So where do I start? Punching bag? sit up?"

Tony shook his head and said, "Nope treadmill."

Henry groaned and said, "But I did that yesterday."

Tony smirked and said, "How long did you last kid? 15-20 minutes on a light jog?"

Henry shrugged and said, "I don't know. It was on level 2."

Tony smiled and said, "Kid one of the best things you can do is know how to run from a bad situation. And run quick."

Tony then pointed at Emma who had her headphones in and was damn near sprinting.

Tony then said, "That is what you work up to."

Henry then looked at Tony and said, "But what if someone chases me? Shouldn't I know how to fight?"

Tony nodded and said, "In due time but running and dodging can also save you."

Henry just looked confused.

Tony then smiled and some come here and watch.

Tony led Henry behind Emma. Emma seemed to be in her own world. Tony then looked at Regina and asked, "Hey you have a pen or something?"

Regina lifted an eyebrow but nodded. Kathryn, Regina, and Henry just looked at each other and shrugged confused.

Regina handed Tony 2 pens. Tony nodded in thanks and looked at Henry, "Watch."

Tony then looked at Emma and chucked one of the pens at Emma's head.

Regina and Kathryn gasped, first appalled that Tony would throw something at Emma's head when she couldn't see then surprised that she wasn't hit.

Emma somehow ducked and avoided being hit. Then pen his the wall and fell to the ground. Tony smiled and then threw the second pen again at Emma's head, and again she ducked.

Henry was looking at Emma with his mouth open, "But ... H-How"

Tony smiled and said, "Emma is the best at this but she uses her surroundings to read her environment."

Henry looked around not seeing anything until he noticed the tv that was off. In the screen showed a reflection of Tony, Emma, Regina and Kathryn.

Henry smiled and looked at Tony, "The tv screen."

Tony nodded, "See, read your surroundings. Always know what is around you."

Tony called out to Emma, "Emma enough. Get in the ring with Danny."

Emma stopped the treadmill and smiled at Henry. Henry smiled back.

Tony then said, "Alright kid, your turn. Get on the treadmill. We will work on knowing your surroundings and how to duck and run."

Regina watched at Tony instructed Henry. She smiled knowing Henry would learn a lot. Regina then looked over at Emma who was getting her hands taped. Emma was talking with a young man, maybe 27 years old with jet black hair, jeans, converse, and a white muscle shirt.

Emma nodded and walked over to the ring. The young man in the muscle shirt squirted water into her mouth and placed a mouth guard into her mouth. He then clapped her on the shoulder and nodded. Emma ducked Inside the ring and walked to the center of the ring. Standing there in front of her was a tall, extremely muscular, young man, who Regina assumed was Danny. Emma walked up to him, nodded, and tapped her taped hand against his.

The young man in the muscle shirt rang a bell started a stop watch.

Kathryn leaned over to Regina and asked, "She isn't fighting that guy is she?"

Regina swallowed heavily and said, "I sure hope not. He could kill her."

Unfortunately that's exactly what Emma was doing.

Danny took a swing at Emma but missed. Emma dodged Danny's punches and kept circling the ring.

Emma then went on the offensive and threw a punch. Emma caught Danny off guard and hit him in the cheek. Emma threw a few more punches each hitting Danny.

Emma gave one kick which landed squarely in Danny's rib cage. Danny winced shielded his ribs.

Regina was impressed, Emma was good. This wasn't as bad as Emma made it seem.. Until Tony yelled out, "What the fuck is this? This isn't some boxing match! Do it for real! Emma's fight is tomorrow afternoon! Now stop fucking around!"

Regina wrinkled her nose at the crude language but was more concerned when Tony said do it for real. Was this not what Emma's fight was going to be like?

Regina then turned her attention back to Emma. Emma must have hit Danny in the face while she was distracted, because he now has blood streaming down face.

The next thing Regina knew Danny growled and charged at Emma. Emma tried to move out of the way but Danny grabbed her by her tank, pulled her in and lifted her off the ground, only to slam her down onto her back. Kathryn and Regina both winced when they heard Emma's back collide with the ground.

Emma grunted and tried to get Danny off of her. Danny had the upper hand and was delivering punch after punch to Emma's face and torso.

Regina had to look away as she could see the blood on Emma's face.

Emma then grunted and somehow shifted their positions Emma now had Danny in a head lock with her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

Danny was scratching and kicking trying to break free, but Emma held strong. Danny's movement started slowing and his face was turning red. Danny then slammed his hand down on the mat twice. Emma released her grip and pushed Danny off of her. Emma continued to lay on the ground while Danny was helped up by the young man in the muscle shirt.

Tony then started clapping, "Still got it Em, still got it."

Emma was still on the ground breathing heavily when the young man in the muscle shirt walked over to her. He stuck out his hand and helped Emma up. Emma winced and took a deep breath.

The young man unwrapped Emma's hands and lead her out of the ring and past Regina.

Emma gave Regina a weak smiled and Henry and Tony and thumbs up while she was lead into a back room.

Regina and Kathryn were shocked at what they just witnessed. Emma fought a man 3 times her size and won. But the fight was barbaric, Regina couldn't image an even younger Emma fighting like that. Regina looked over to Henry who was smiling and cheering seeing as he finally ducked one of the foam balls that Tony was throwing at him.

Tony then moved Henry to the ring. He was showing him how to punch, kick, and if someone was to draw a weapon how he would safely disarm them.

Regina smiled, then tapped Kathryn on the shoulder, "Keep an eye on Henry I'm gonna go check on Emma."

Kathryn nodded and turned her attention to Henry.

Regina got up and walked towards the door Emma went through. Regina knocked on the door where she hear a strong, "Come in".

Regina opened the door averted her eyes. Emma was shirtless with the man in the muscle shirt standing behind her.

Emma smiled and said, "It's ok Regina. Regina this is Medin, or Med. Med this is Regina my foster mom."

Med smiled and wiped his hands on his jeans, "Hey, nice to meet you."

Regina shook Med's extended hand and smiled, "Pleasure to meet you too."

Regina then looked at Emma's back. She could see where the bruises were going to form.

Med followed Regina's line of sight, "Don't worry Em here is gonna be fine. Only bruised, even though she is going to bitch and complain like they are broken."

Emma slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Hey, watch it. Don't make me get Mama Te."

Med held his hands up in surrender, "I fold." They both laughed. Med walked in front of Emma and lifted her face so he could examine it. Med nodded and said, "You'll be fine. They shouldn't even scar. You know the drill, clean and cover for tomorrow."

Emma nodded and reached over grabbing her sports bar and putting it back on. Med nodded and said, "and get in that tub. It's here for a reason."

Emma nodded and shooed him away.

Med smiled at Regina as he left and closed the door.

Regina cleared her throat and said, "Are you sure you are ok? That was a very significant impact."

Emma smiled and hopped off of the examination table. Emma turned a faucet on and started filling up a large metal tub with water and ice.

Emma dumped the ice in and let the water run before turning back to Regina, "I'm good. No worries I'll be good for tomorrow"

Regina looked at Emma and said, "What is all this?"

Emma stopped the water and slowly stepped into the tub, "Ice bath. Helps with my muscles"

Regina nodded and said, "Well I'll leave you too it."

Emma nodded and said, "I'll be done in about 20 mins. Then we can head out."

Regina nodded and left Emma to her ice bath.

AN: Again sorry for the wait, life and all that. To make up for it I already have ch.9 done. This chapter isn't proofread or anything so there are going to be mistakes. if any really jump out at you please let me know and I'll get to them as soon as I can. I should have the next chapter posted by tomorrow. Thanks for all the follows, reviews, and just people sticking with this fic!