Unexpected Love

Mary Margaret regained consciousness and finally came to. Vivid white fluorescent lights illuminated the room from the tiled ceiling. Her eyes had to adjust to the brightness. A small pain shot up her spine as she adjusted her head. That's when her vision became clear and she took in her surroundings. The walls were an off white color; there was only one window that looked to the outside. A night stand was set next to her bed. No, this wasn't her bed; it had adjusting metal rails attached to the sides. A couple of stuffed animals, balloons, flowers and cards were placed in a corner. "She's awake!" Henry's voice sounded excited. A small crowd of people surrounded her. "How are you?", "What happened?" A lot of questions were being asked at once. "Okay people, give her room to breathe." Emma Swan authorized in her sheriff voice. The townsfolk obeyed and stepped back as much as they could in the small room. Mary finally realized she was in the hospital. The very one where she resigned from. The brunette talked to her guests and when visiting time was over, only Emma and the patient stayed behind.

"How did I end up here?" Mary asked as she relaxed on the bed. "Somebody called the station after they heard a scream. Wish I had come sooner, then perhaps you and mister Gold wouldn't end up here and the criminal would be caught." The blonde looked away, as she felt sorry that she did not make it to the crime scene on time. Then Mary realized that Mr. Gold was being pummeled by the maniac that caused her to scream. "How is he?" She asked in a concerned tone. "His face is a mess, but he'll live. Whoever did that really wanted his money." The brunette gave a quizzical expression. "It seems to be a robbery. Mister Gold's wallet was on the ground next to him, opened and emptied. But your purse was still intact." The blonde continued as she placed her roommate's pocketbook on the bed. "Can you remember anything that had happened?" A robber, Mary thought, all the man had to do was threaten to give them money, it was unnecessary to almost kill somebody, but then Mr. Gold would most likely not give up anything so easily. "He was tall and muscular. Had dark hair and eyes. A scar was on his chin and he smelled of cigarettes and beer." Emma started to write down the description of the man in her handy dandy notebook that she kept in her back pocket. "I found it odd that he said something about a warning." Mary finally brought up what she had been thinking. Emma cocked an eyebrow. "A warning? What kind?" The brunette shrugged. "Something about being a bad girl. And then David came by the shop and the mayor visited." The blonde's stare seem to be frozen in place. She was in deep thought. A warning? Why would anyone warn Mary; especially since she wasn't a bad person? Her roommate was the friendliest person she had ever met. Then realizing that a 'warning' could have been sent by a goon by none other than Madam Mayor; but without proof that would be difficult. A little visit will suffice. "Thank you, I'm going to go and try to figure this out." And she left the hospital.

Mary slowly made her way of the bed and over to the gifts in the corner. She started to read the cards; she smiled as her friends were concerned about her. It made her feel like they were her family. After examining her contents, she opened the door and walked over to the nurse behind the desk. "Could you tell me where Mr. Gold's room is?" The nurse smiled and checked on the computer. "Room two zero two." The room was only down the hall from hers. "Did he have any visitors?" She asked, curious if anybody had a visit with the man. The nurse checked the visitor's sheet. "No." The brunette frowned to her response; though she knew most people feared him but she thought he would get a few visits. "Thank you." Mary walked back into her room, grabbed her purse and walked to the hospital store that was on the first floor. There were stuffed animals, balloons, cards, flowers, and many other novelties that were stacked neatly on shelves, just ready to be sold. Her eyes settled on a tan teddy bear, holding a red heart that read. 'Get Well Soon' in yellow letters. She knew it would be more for a person that was sick or just had surgery but there wasn't anything that read, 'Thank You and Heal Soon.' After purchasing the bear, she walked to room 202.

Opening the door, she walked into the room. It was designed just like hers. She placed the stuffed animal on the night stand. It seemed so lonely by itself; just like Mr. Gold. Her eyes averted to the pawnbroker. He wasn't wearing his normal ensemble; instead he wore a hospital gown. His frame appeared frail, face gaunt. there was a bump on his forehead, and his right eye blackened with a bruise that also crept down upon his cheek and a fat lip. Luckily his nose wasn't broken or any other bone but his face was in terrible condition. His eyes were shut, she wondered if he a concussion. That would be even worse than his face, cuts and bruises heal but severe damage to the brain does not. She took his hand in hers, which was still warm. If she could have run from the monster that caused such pain, he would not have been in this horrible condition. Tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked them away but one tear escaped and fell upon the bridge of Mr. Gold's nose. "I'm sorry." Placing his hand back, she wiped her tears away and walked out of the room. She would thank the man when he awakes but unwittingly to her, Mr. Gold's eye slowly fluttered open.

Emma Swan drove the cruiser to the Mayor's office. She knew she had to keep calm. Accusing the woman wouldn't be a smart move. Even now that she is sheriff, she was sure that Regina Mills would have a field day to try and construct a way for Ms. Swan to lose her job. Finally deciding to confront the woman, she put the car in park and charged into the building. She slowed down her pace as she neared the ravenous woman that sat behind her desk, typing away on the computer. "I need a statement from you for yesterday." The Mayor stopped typing and looked up the blonde. "Excuse me?" Her voice was solid, a slight glare flashed. "I need to know your whereabouts for yesterday." She tried not to grit her teeth. "Miss Swan, I've been with my son. Now what do I have to about last night's robbery?" Emma was surprised, how did she know it was a robbery; she hadn't made a full report yet. Regina caught the expression and smirked. "If you have forgotten Miss Swan I am the mayor of this town. I know everything." Emma glared at the woman. She should have known that people worked for her and had the biggest mouths but it just made her want answers. "Then tell me why you sent someone to warn Mary Margaret Blanchard." So long for being subtle. Regina rose to her feet, meeting the glare. "I will not stand for being accused for something that I had no intentions for." The blonde's eyebrows rose, not believing what she was hearing. "No intentions? You didn't want Mary to work, and now that you found out that she was working for Mister Gold, you sent out a henchman to scare her out of it. And it caused two people in the hospital!" Her voice rose in such anger that she had to leave before she jumped over the desk and strangle the woman. It was no use arguing, she wasn't going to get any answers that she needed. As soon as Emma left, Regina pulled out her cell phone and speed dialed the last person she spoke to. After a few rings, someone picked up. "The deal is off." Then she hung up, gripping the phone tightly.