How Deep Is Your Love
Chapter Eight
The heroes all returned to the Charmings' loft where they would be able to discuss their current problem and plan more privately, so that hopefully the Snow Queen wouldn't be anywhere around to hear them talking. Unfortunately, it wasn't long after they arrived when all of a sudden each of them felt weak as streaks of dark magic appeared and entered into their minds, stripping them of all knowledge of Hook being taken. When the magic disappeared, it was as though nothing happened to them aside from the silence that had fallen over everyone, no one being able to remember what it was they were talking about moments ago.
Emma tilted her head in confusion as she spoke up asking, "What were we just talking about?"
Mary Margaret shook her head as if trying to remember herself and then finally answered, "I think we were talking about your date plans with Hook tonight."
"If that was what you were talking about, then perhaps that's my queue to leave," Regina responded with frustration as she stood up to leave again until the woman who was her stepdaughter immediately reached up to grab her arm, then pulled her back down.
"Wait Regina, please don't leave," Snow said while she looked at the Mayor as she did so. "I'm sorry. We'll talk more about that later. But right now, we really need to discuss this Snow Queen. Where is Hook? Didn't you text him to ask you to meet him here, Emma?"
The Savior shook her head as she replied, "Actually, I don't know. But I'll give him a break from our villain discussion this afternoon. He had a rough day yesterday. He deserves a break."
David stood up and walked over to the crib as he leaned down to lay his and Mary Margaret's son down after he had fallen asleep, then said quietly, "Honestly, I think he would like to know what's going on the same as any of the rest of us, especially since she nearly killed him yesterday."
"That's just it," Emma retorted. "We don't know what's going on. We don't know who this woman is, how she knows Elsa and me as she appears to, or whatever the hell her grudge against us is. How are we supposed to make a plan for anything against her, when we don't know what it is we're up against?"
"I think that's the whole point of us coming together," Elsa answered, not really understanding that Emma was ranting more than she really meant the words she had said just now. "Surely there's some clues around this town that can help us find answers."
Mary Margaret suddenly looked over at David as she responded quickly, "Actually, you know what? I think there might be something we can try. Oh my gosh, I can't believe we didn't think of this before!"
David watched with confusion as she ran over to their closest while he called out, "What are you talking about, Mary Margaret?"
"Yeah, what are you talking about?" Regina asked curiously, feeling just as confused as everyone else.
"While still rifling through the things inside the closet behind all of their clothes Snow replied, "The Census records we've kept. Where did we put them?"
David smiled, impressed that his wife had thought of them when he didn't, then he answered, "You know, I'm not really sure. I'll come and help you look."
Emma looked over at Regina in confusion, while she seemed just as confused until Henry noticed their looks and spoke up finally saying, "Grandma and Grandpa have kept detailed records of every curse, spell, battle, as well as every person and villain that have ever come here to Storybrooke in case something like this ever came up. If we've encountered the Snow Queen before and somehow have forgotten about it because of the curse, or some memory spell, it's possible that she's in the books."
"How come I didn't know about this?" Emma asked as though she was hurt to have been left out in regards to this knowledge.
"Don't look at me," the former Evil Queen scoffed when the others turned to her. "I didn't know anything about it either. But it's a smart idea. I'd very much like to know what's been written about me. Right now's just not a good time. I think I should be getting back to my office. I need to check on Marian and then go talk to Robin, to let him know of his wi… wife's current condition like I promised him I would. I'll see you later. Let me know what you all find out. And Henry, send me a text if you're going to come and stay with me again tonight. I'll be sure to be home before you get back."
Henry nodded as she left without saying goodbye to the others no longer in the room with them while they continued searching, then Emma looked up at the clock on the wall to check the time and stated, "I should probably get ready. It's about that time and I don't want to be late. I doubt Killian would appreciate it, or let me forget it."
Snow came back into the room upon hearing Neal crying and leaned down over the crib again to pick him up, then looked over at her daughter, having heard her mention she was going to get ready for her date as she responded, "That's a good idea. I can't wait to see what you're going to wear tonight. Your father's still looking for the books, but it might take a bit longer for us to find than we thought. It's possible we leant them out to Belle or to the fairies. We'll keep on looking though. Maybe we can use the records to help us find your sister too, Elsa."
"That would wonderful if that were true, but Henry said these books have records of everyone who's ever come here to Storybrooke," the Queen of Arendelle replied worryingly as she looked between the other women standing with her as well as at baby Neal. "The only reason why I'm here is because I was trapped inside an urn that was brought through the time portal which brought you and Hook home from your trip to the past. I very much doubt Anna would have ever been here. She must be at home, in Arendelle. And probably in danger from Prince Hans and his twelve brothers."
"We'll find her, Elsa," the Savior said with confidence. "I don't know how yet, but we will. And by the way, you said that your sister has a fiancé, right? Surely he'll do whatever it takes to make sure that she is safe. My parents fight every day to protect each other and everyone they love. Love is the same in any world."
Elsa smiled and patted her friend's arm in gratitude, the she answered sincerely, "You're right. Kristoff will keep her safe. Thank you. Don't you have a date to get ready for? Don't make yourself late because of me."
Nearly two hours later, Emma was sitting in silence at the table within the dining room of their apartment, staring ahead at nothing while she rolled her finger around the top of the glass of water sitting in front of her. She was wearing a red knee-length dress that was elegant much like the gown she had worn at the ball they attended while they were in the Enchanted Forest, her hair was down and curled under at the ends, and when Mary Margaret walked around her daughter to sit down in the chair across from her, she noticed that Emma was no longer wearing the necklace she always wore given to her by Neal that was her way of remembering the man she had lost.
Emma might or might not have taken it off consciously, but Snow knew then that a small part of her daughter was ready to let another man into her life and she knew it was because of Killian, for which she had been grateful to him for until now. Hook had texted Emma earlier that he would arrive nearly forty-five minutes ago to pick her up for their date. Yet, he never showed and there was no message from him explaining why he wasn't there. Snow could see from Emma's face that she was angry, but mostly hurt even if she struggled to hide it.
Mary Margaret reached out to place her hand gently over Emma's as she whispered, "I'm sure there's a good reason why he isn't here. Hook's crazy about you, Emma."
"I don't really care," the younger woman responded coldly. "If there is a good reason, he should have called me. I just don't get it. Ever since Neverland, he's been flirting with me and doing everything he can to try to win me over. For once, I finally started to believe that someone cared about me enough to be in this with me for the long haul. Clearly I was wrong. So, you know what? I don't really care if he has a good explanation or not. I'm done with him. I gave him a chance and he blew it."
"Emma, you can't just give up," her mother replied worryingly as Emma stood up and began to wash the dishes left in the sink from lunch earlier until she paused when she heard her phone buzzing upon receiving a text message. "Look, it's Hook now. I'm sure he's letting you know he's on his way, or that something important came up and that he couldn't…"
The Savior raised her hand to cut Snow off while she read the message and then stated angrily, "You're wrong. And I was right. He isn't here because he had one too many drinks down by the docks and now he's not feeling well enough to make it for our date. He says he'll see me tomorrow. Oh, and he says he might have been too hasty in trading his ship for a woman who just can't seem to find it in herself to let him in fully. I'm going to bed."
David returned home after having driven Henry back to his other home with Regina just as Emma walked away and climbed the stairs to the loft as he turned to Snow and Elsa, who came toward them from the couch in their living room, then he asked, "What happened? Did something go wrong on their date? Emma's home so early."
"Hook stood her up," Snow answered crossly as she looked up towards the loft, then back at her husband. "He got himself drunk and now he's too hungover to come out."
"Damn it, I warned Hook I'd kill him if he hurt her," David responded angrily and then started toward the door to go find the pirate. "I knew I was right not to trust him. Where is he right now?"
Elsa shook her head as she answered, "Emma didn't tell us if he said or not. Only that he had gone down to the docks to have a few drinks."
The Prince looked at the woman as he asked, "Wait, Hook called Emma himself to say that he was drunk?"
"No, he sent her a text," Mary Margaret responded in confusion what he meant. "What are you thinking?"
"Look, I don't really know if Hook's intentions with Emma are true and I know I'm the last one to want them to become involved, but after everything Hook's done to try to prove himself, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt," David replied in frustration. "He may have a drinking problem somewhat, but I find it strange that he would get himself drunk just when he's finally gotten what he's been pining for since Neverland. I'm going to look for him. Don't wait up for me. I'll probably be back late. I can't believe I'm defending him."
