Chapter 2: A change of heart

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The first thought that crossed her mind the next morning was that she was dead tired. The second was that Belle and her husband were visiting today.
It happened that the latter was the one that forced Emma out of bed. As much as she wanted to roll over and sleep to noon, duty calls. And besides, she suspected grimly that she was already very close to a long lecture from her parents. Even they had their limits.

"You look horrible." Was all Graham said when he saw her.

"Thanks." Emma said dryly. "You are not looking so pretty yourself."

It was true, he looked as though he had scarcely had a wink of sleep in weeks. He probably hadn't, knowing him. He worked so hard, it almost seemed impossible. Sometimes he was just a guard, and then he was off god-knows-where on some mysterious mission. Doing something that Emma was sure everyone was better off not knowing.

"I still think you're overworked." She said, noting the way he shifted uncomfortably at her words.

"Somebody has to keep this kingdom from war." His gaze was now resting by the mountains. He seemed far off, distant. Emma knew he was thinking of the peace and quiet of the woods. It was something understood. She was was guilty herself of loving her alone time. Even Philip was too much for her sometimes.

She had an idea.

"Graham, take a day off. Come with me for a ride before my sister arrives. A chance won't come again anytime soon..." She elbowed him, grinning slyly. "And besides, I might find I will go by myself later. You know I've done it before. If my father hears that you could have stopped me from doing anything stupid by coming with me, but didn't... Well you know what he's like."

He laughed.

Anybody else might have felt threatened by her words. But Graham in some ways knew Emma even better than Philip and her sisters.

"Emma, you know I have more productive ways to spend my time."

"Someone else could handle whatever you have on..." But nobody could as well as Graham. "Please?"

He hesitated for a moment, his sharp eyes assessing her, probably making sure she had no other motives. And then he blew out some air. "Fine, I'll speak to your father. No promises."

Emma squealed, feeling like a child again.

He was going to enjoy the freedom even more than her.

Finally things were going her way.

"Can I bring my bow." She said teasingly. "I want to hunt boar."

"No."

Mostly anyway.

They bickered loudly as they strolled through the woods, leading their horses behind. She was glad for the fresh air and sunshine. Though Emma could see that Graham was tense and ready for action, as if he expected a gang of bloodthirsty thugs to leap out out from the shrubbery.

For once Emma was glad. She couldn't help but feel as if something was wrong... It was a lingering thought that seemed like after-effects of a dream. She shook it off, reminding herself of the good special things in life.

The sun was behind the clouds, so it was rather dark under the shelter of the heavy leaves. But Emma wasn't worried about that, neither was Graham, it seemed. Maybe it was because he knew these woods too well, or maybe, just maybe, someone had distracted him lest they head back early.

Funny that his denial intrigued her so.

"That can't be true!" Emma had said, shocked. The subject happened to have been brought up, and now she was genuinely curious. "Everybody has someone..."

"Not me." He had closed off from her again, his face blank and unreadable. Emma knew him too well to mistake it for something like cold hostility. It was loneliness.

"Don't pity me." He muttered, stepping carefully over a fallen branch. "Pity someone who cares."

"Graham... I-"

"Just drop it, will you." He snapped.

She would have apologized, but then he might take offence, so she tried something different.

"There is only one way to solve this problem... And that is finding someone who DOES care. About you." She looked at him sideways. "I feel like I won't have to look very far."

"What?"

"You already know, don't y-?"

She was cut off by his hand over her mouth.

Instinctively, she bit down. Hard.

He released her, but he didn't look happy. His hand was bleeding,

"What the hell, Emma?" He whispered angrily.

"You grabbed me!" She snarled, grabbing the reins of her startled mare, who was looking ready to make a run for it.

"Shhh!" He hissed. "Listen..."

"Why?" She demanded, still angry.

He didn't answer, but was listening carefully himself.

She heard birds. Lots and lots of them. Was that what he was trying to say? Was he making a point that she was disturbing the peace?
And then she heard them. Voices.

"...We have only just got here.. ...We cant go now... ridiculous." That voice. It was familiar.

"Its Philip." Emma elbowed Graham, enjoying the look on his face when he realized he may have overreacted.

He sighed. "Remember... You are a princess. You shouldn't be here, no lady should. Ever. I'm stupid for taking you." He made to step through the bushes, but Emma grabbed him.

"Wait."

She was listening to Philip talk. Something was off.

"...Dangerous... ...we need to leave..." That was a different, slightly familiar voice.

"I said no! ... know you are getting bored with this place... But I- I want to stay..." Philip sounded angry, unlike anything she had ever heard him.

"...No choice... I know you want to be with Princess Emma... But I'm telling you, its only going to end in tears... Your tears." Emma met Graham's eyes, she knew who the second man was. The one who Philip called "Hook."

The bastard.

"...And besides, you know how woman are. She's after your throne. Of coursed she doesn't want to be your wife... Trust me. I know what I'm talking about..."

"I'm going to kill him." Emma said almost calmly, in her blind rage. "I. Am. Going. To. Kill. Him.

"Later." Graham said through gritted teeth, holding onto her arm to make sure she stayed put. "I feel a strange disliking to this man. Will you let me help you with that killing you spoke of, at a later date? I feel like it would be more enjoyable if we bide our time."

The voices were beginning to fade, but Emma's anger wasn't going anywhere.

"There is no better time than NOW!" Emma lurched forwards, but failed at making a escape. "Fine!" She gave up. "Lets go back. I guess that's where they're heading anyway."

For the second time in the last few days Emma found herself rushing to look presentable. Unfortunately, the smell of horse was a lot harder to disguise than the sea. Having to spend that extra time with washing wasn't helping to improve Emma's mood, so whenever something went wrong, the same thought went through her head.

She was going to kill him.

He was telling Philip filthy lies about her. How dare he? She was the last person to want Philip's crown.

Of course Philip knew that. He had known her since they were children... But, now she thought about it, she hadn't actually heard his reply to that rude statement about her. If only she had listened for a moment longer.

Worry ate away at Emma for the rest of the day. So much that by the time the guests had arrived, she was sure she had a angry black cloud hovering over her head.

"Emma..." Regina had peered at her sideways. "Ah, are you al-" She paused, obviously thinking better of it. "We should go and greet them."

Emma was silent, letting her sisters lead the way to the great hall.

There was a small crowd gathered around the visitors.

Belle was smiling widely, looking happier than Emma had ever seen her. Her husband, Rumpelstiltskin, was a different story. He looked out of place, Seeming uncomfortable at the attention.

"Welcome back Belle." Her fathers smile didn't even look a bit strained. That was a change. He too, seemed to be overworking. Funny that.

"Oh father, I am glad to be here again. I must say, I have missed this place." Belle glanced at her husband, a small smile playing on her lips. "Though it took me a while to persuade Rumple to accompany me."

"Not long enough, I think dear."

There was a short moment of silence, and then Snow laughed, taking Belle's arm cheerily, and the air cleared. "If you would excuse us gentlemen. The ladies here would like to help Belle with getting ready for dinner."

Emma tried not to scowl. In other words, it was time for the men to chat and sit around the fire, having fun, while they were squeezed into tight corsets yet again.

She needed to punch someone.

Preferably the bastard, Hook.

"Mother, I have something to say."

"Yes Belle?" They sat around the room, letting dusk fall. It was a rare peace for some. To be able to relax and sew.
For Emma... Not so lovely.

"I'm pregnant."

What? Emma was back to reality again in a blink.

"That is wonderful, Belle!" Snow was already across the room, hugging her daughter. "Just wonderful!"

Emma looked across the room to Regina and Aurora. They looked as stunned as her.

"You better catch up soon, Regina." Emma heard herself say, grinning, as she stood to hug Belle too.

"Watch me."

After dinner, the noise level had grown, the music and dancing starting up. Everybody was laughing, happy.

Surprisingly, Emma's good mood had lasted.

She found herself hovering next to Philip, still grinning happily. What before seemed so important to her, no longer was such a big deal. Of COURSE Philip wasn't going to listen to that idiot he called his friend. He was better than that. So much better.

"Emma."

She snapped out of her bubble, focusing on him.

Philip looked awkward. As if he felt someone was listening, but he didn't suggest they go outside, away from the noise.
Instead he cleared his throat. "Emma, I'm sorry. But I'm leaving in two days. Something has happened."

"But you will be back?" Her voice sounded unusually high. "Won't you?"

"I'm sorry." He was closing off, turning away, ready to disappear into the crowd. Gone from her life forever. "I can't."

"Where is he?"

That made him pause, looking confused.

"WHERE IS HE?!"

"Who?"

"Bloody Hook!"

"Wh-?"

"Tell me!" She was hysterical now. And a lot of people were staring at her like she had gone mad. Perhaps she had.

"I.. The stables..." He said, still looking confused. "Emma, wait!"

And then she was off, shoving randomly at people who got in her way. Several of them shouted her name after her, but she didn't care.
She was outside, marching across the moonlit cobblestones, feeling ready to explode with rage.

Finally, after an eternity, she got to her destination.

The sweet smell of leather and straw hit her as she entered the stables.
She blinked, unable to see much for a moment. And then her eyes adjusted.

He was standing next to one of the mares, patting and talking to her. He didn't look up when she swung the door open, though several horses whinnied.

"You!" She pointed a shaky finger at him. And then she was crossing the room in very unladylike long strides.

"What the bloody-" He was cut off when Emma's fist collided with his face. "-hell?"

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