Henry Makes a Move

Emma had spent the weekend mentally kicking herself for her behavior at Regina's. She had tried calling the next day, but her calls had all gone straight to voicemail. She passed by the house Saturday evening but it looked dark and empty. No one seemed home and Emma went back to her place and sat, wondering where Regina was and who she was with.

She had thought about staking out the residences of Regina's family too but, honestly, was a little scared to see if the mayor was at either house. It looked like they were all friends, and frankly, she was still uncertain how to handle the idea that Regina and Mal had been involved. Or that the mayor acted like they were still involved.

Early Monday morning, Emma entered Granny's Diner and was immediately mollified by the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast. Sauntering her way to the counter, she heard her name called and found Lieutenant Blanchard and Deputy Lelievre sitting in a booth.

"Good morning, Deputy Aurie. Lieutenant Blanchard."

"Morning, Sheriff."

Aurie nodded and asked, "How was the pizza Friday night?"

Emma's head swiveled to Aurie, shocked to be asked such a revealing question in her company, but the red-headed officer put both hands up and defended Mary Margaret. "I already knew about you having dinner with Regina and Henry. As a matter of fact, the whole town did."

"Seriously?"

Mary Margaret sipped her coffee and, after raising a finger to signal that Emma needed a cup as well to the passing waitress, she explained. "You mentioned it to Vinnie, the pizzeria owner, that you were ordering the pizza for Henry. Vinnie's wife, Carlota, is only one of the town's biggest gossips. You got to be careful in Storybrooke. Word travels fast."

"Great. So, has everybody heard that dinner was interrupted by the Mayor yet?"

Aurie dropped the toast she was about to bite into. "No way!" She pinned Mary Margaret with a look. "I thought they were over."

"They are over."

"Does the mayor know that?" Emma asked quietly, picking up her newly delivered coffee cup and drinking from it. The hot, dark liquid actually did wonders in making her feel better. Now, if she could just get over Regina, that would be great.

Mary Margaret seemed to mull over Emma's question and was careful with her answer. "The mayor can think whatever she likes but, from what I hear, Regina is the one who called it quits and is moving on. That should be the most important detail."

The sigh was heavy from Emma and she did not care whether Aurie was there. She already had a feeling that she could trust these two officers with her life. "I think I screwed up."

"How?" Aurie's mouth was full with wheat toast but she leaned in supportively.

"I don't know."

"What did the mayor say when she saw you with Regina?" came Mary Margaret curiously.

"That I'm to report to her first thing this morning."

The two officers looked at each other and then at Emma. "She can't fire you."

"But, she could make the sheriff's life miserable, MM."

"Yeah, but Cora could make her life miserable. If Regina's happy and Emma makes Regina happy, then Cora's happy."

"Cora Mills scares me just a little bit," Emma confided. "I am pretty good at reading people, but, I can't read her."

Mary Margaret sat back in the booth. "Cora's… alright."

"She's an old bat."

"Aurie!"

"She is, MM. You should know. She was almost your step-mother!"

"Nah, it would have never gone that far."

"She still gives me the heebee-jeebeez."

Emma pointed to the last toast triangle on Aurie's plate and the officer offered it to her. Mary Margaret snickered and said, "Fair enough. She can be scary. She wasn't the greatest mother, but she loves her daughters. She's a much nicer grandma. However, when it comes to business…"

"She's a bat-witch-snarling-beast."

Having just taken a sip, Emma swallowed before she chuckled, "She's all those things, is she?"

"Let's just say you don't want to lock horns with her."

Silence passed while the deputies waved to some patrons walking by. Emma broke the silence with, "SO, what exactly happened between the Principal and the Mayor?"

"Mal cheated on Regina."

Emma was gobsmacked. "Are you kidding me? She cheated on Regina? Why would anyone cheat on Regina?"

Aurie nodded. "That's the story. It's not the first time either. The mayor has a… very healthy sexual appetite."

"No shit." Emma thought about the few advances she had been confronted with before Mal had discovered her at Regina's house on Friday. She suddenly felt worse about how she reacted. "Yeah, I think I might have messed up. But… I feel like I'm suddenly walking on egg shells here."

Her second in command studied her. When she spoke, Mary Margaret exuded a little more concern. "Just what exactly are your intensions with Regina?"

"Are we playing the role of concerned-former-nearly-step-sister?"

A smile broke on Mary Margaret's face. "Friendly concern. Regina and I are friends. When her mother was dating Father, I was a chubby geeky pre-teen. Zelena would tease me and Regina would always stick up for me."

"That's sweet."

"Yeah. That's Regina. She would never look for praise or see herself that way, but she's a bit of a hero. She deserves a happy ending." Mary Margaret leaned forward and whispered, "Definitely not going to happen with Mal Drakeford."

Forty minutes later, Emma was still reflecting on that as she walked past the mayor's secretary, escorting her into the mayor's office. When Mal saw them it was like Emma could hear the charm-o-meter go up just by watching the mayor's face light up, though there was something artificial about the display.

"Ah, Sheriff Swan. Do come in." Rounding her desk, the impeccably dressed blonde offered the guest chair to Emma and hailed her secretary. "Aliza, a word please." The slender good looking, model like assistant paused and Emma observed Mal whisper something cozily in her assistant's ear, causing Aliza to blush and titter. Then she watched Mal caress the woman's elbow and deliver a megawatt smile while watching the woman leave.

Swiftly refocusing her attention on Mal's desk, Emma afforded herself a quick eye roll at the mayor's fraternization with her subordinate. Come on. Before it was too late she pasted a smile on her face.

"Good morning, Mayor Drakeford. I hope this won't take long. I am due in the briefing room with my deputies shortly."

"I understand, Sheriff Swan. I will try not to take up too much of your time. I trust that our Sheriff's Department is running smoothly and efficiently?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, we are. Things are great."

"And you are getting all settled in… outside of work?"

There it is.

"Yes."

"I had not realized that you and Regina were dating."

Now what? Should she tell the mayor the truth? That she and Regina weren't dating. Was it any of the mayor's business? Hell no.

Emma had always been a quick thinker on her feet, though, and she decided not to reveal too much. "We met at your party as a matter of fact. Henry and I met first though. He's a great kid."

There was a slight twitch in Mal's smile and Emma interpreted it as disagreement. Aw, no way. Who couldn't like Henry? Emma fought the urge to dislike her new boss on the spot, which was ridiculous because, besides the over-flirting, she had decided to like the mayor on the previous meetings they have had.

"Are you and Regina are seeing each other?"

I saw her last Friday. I may see her cross the street later or in town from time to time.

Emma didn't say anything and gave, not exactly a head nod, but her chin may have dipped lower for a brief second from impatience. The mayor took it as an affirmative and before the woman could say anything, Emma jumped in. "Does this meeting have anything to do with my job, Madam Mayor?"

"Well…"

"What I do in my personal life, as long as it is not affecting my professional life is exactly that, strictly personal."

Oh boy. Did she just tell the mayor off?

Mal seemed to think carefully about this from every angle. "Just be sure that no one gets hurt." That was unexpected. Mal was being protective. "Despite what has happened between us, Regina is still a dear family friend."

Was that it? There seemed to be no apparent interest coming from the mayor now. She had shown more enthusiasm in her assistant than anything else.

Emma watched Mal scoot her chair in and occupy herself with other matters on her desk. "You may go, Sheriff Swan. Have a nice day."

This whole situation was not as complicated as she thought. "Okay." That was the best Emma could come up with. She got up from the plush guest chair and bid the mayor goodbye.

As she walked down the stairs of City Hall, Emma knew she should be relieved but was still uncertain about what she wanted to do where Regina was concerned.

[- ]

A week later found Henry sitting in his Aunt's flower shop. "Alright, my lovelies. How's the homework coming along?"

Zelena passed through the backroom of The Wicked Florist, and set the arrangement she was carrying onto the counter where Robyn and Henry sat. Robyn was reading a book and Henry had a worksheet in front of him where he was counting and coloring items.

"I'm reading about Zebras, Mummy," Robyn informed Zelena cheerfully.

"I'm coloring rockets," Henry added. "I have to count how many are in this box. Circle the number here and color two."

"Exciting," Zelena vocalized with a fist pump in the air. "I love it when you kids are learning." She gave Robyn a kiss at the top of her head. "Are you two ready for a snack yet?"

"Whatcha got, Aunt Z?"

"I have yogurt and granola for you both. Yum! Your mother would approve, Henry."

"What time is she picking me up?"

"Well, you know how your mother and work can be. She has planning meetings with the teachers, but she promised in about an hour and a half."

Glancing at the clock on the wall, he asked. "What time is it?"

Zelena smiled at him and bowed near her daughter, testing her with a whisper, "Gee, I don't know. What time is it, lovey?"

Robin squinted her eyes at the analog clock. "It's 3:45 in the afternoon."

"Correct!" Zelena hugged her daughter from behind. "Gosh, you're smart. Just like your mummy."

As she passed Henry she hugged him too. "So, Mister Man! Are you hungry or what?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I will…"

"Zelena!" Montrose Phillips, Zelena's assistant florist came to the back. "Ariel Vandenberg is here and she is looking for a florist for her wedding to Erik Dekker the III! This is a huge deal!"

"What? I'm nearly offended that she didn't come to me first! Our families know one another. I've known about the wedding for a month now."

"Maybe she just wanted you to be a guest."

"Bollocks." Realization washed over Zelena and swiveled her attention to the counter where the children quickly looked down at their homework, as if they had not heard anything. Regina would kill her if Henry learned another inappropriate word. "I have a mind to say no."

"Zelena, just go out and talk to her!"

"Fine." She looked at the kids and said, "Montrose will get your snack. You be good. This may take a while."

"Okay mummy."

"Okay, Aunt Z."

A few minutes later, a small plastic container of strawberry yogurt was sat in front of Henry. The flavor and bright pink color reminded him of his conversation with Emma about pink frosting in the market. He needed to speak with her. To help smooth things over somehow, if he could. During the last week, no matter how he tried, he could not get that bit of sadness out of his mother's eyes. He wanted Regina to laugh again, like she had with Emma at dinner.

Looking to his left, he saw his cousin engrossed in her book and a plan started forming in his head. Could he pull this off? Geographically, it was possible. The Sheriff's Station was only a stone's throw away. He could zip over there and be back before anyone missed him.

Leaning over, he peered out the curtain-covered doorway and saw both Aunt Z and Montrose talking animatedly with Ariel. They'd be there for a while.

Quietly, Henry stepped down from his stool, not making a big fuss and uttered to Robyn, "I'm going to the bathroom."

When she just hummed in response, he felt even more optimistic about the idea. Instead of making a right, through the corridor leading to the shop's restroom, he tip-toed to the backdoor, quietly opening it and slipped out. From there, he ran as fast as he could the two blocks toward where, hopefully, Emma was.

[- ]

"I think we have all the evidence we need on this B&E case," Assistant Sheriff Neal Cassidy explained, closing the manilla folder in his hand and tapping the corner against his palm. "I'd like to pick this guy up today."

With crossed arms and sitting back in her chair, Emma nodded and agreed. "Sounds like an open and shut breaking and entering case. Go ahead with the arrest."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Her deputy was collecting some items he had brought in with him, his uniform jacket and a left-over Styrofoam cup and turned to leave her office when Emma decided to quench her curiosity. "Neal?"

"Sheriff?"

"So far, I have been pretty impressed with your work."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You're smart, a good cop, your record is good and you're local."

Neal seemed to know where this conversation was heading. He sighed and pulled at his thick black utility belt, awaiting the question he knew Emma was going to push.

"I'm surprised you didn't take my job."

He inspected their area and was glad that they were the only ones in the office. Emma had hoped that he would confide in her about this topic of mystery that had plagued her all week.

Throwing his jacked over his forward, careful that it not disturb his drink, he shifted feet and with his free hand gestured to her. "Okay, you're new so you don't know."

She raised her eyebrow at him. "Know what?" Was he a recovering drug addict? An alcoholic? Did he kick puppies in his spare time? What?

Neal looked agitated for a few moments, which seemed a little out of character for him and he plopped into her guest chair and unloaded on her.

"You've only been here a short time, but I'm sure you know who Rowan Gold is."

Taken aback, Emma pondered that with a short smile. Of course, she knew who he was. Everyone in town did. As a matter of fact, she had been keeping a close eye on him and was told to by the mayor.

"You mean Storybrooke's kingpin? Yeah, I've heard of him. He has ties to the mob, right?"

Neal's complexion paled and he didn't wait to hear anymore before blurting, "He's my father."

Emma goggled and her jaw dropped. She certainly wasn't expecting that. "What?"

"Yeah. I found out about a year and a half ago."

Eyes darting all over the office, Emma understood better now why, perhaps, Neal had not been given the job. She noted that he looked a little pained and she cleared her throat, thinking of something to say.

"Want to hear the funny part?" Neal didn't give her a change to think of a response.

"Is there a funny part to all of this?"

"I found out when I busted him at a bar brawl. He wasn't fighting in it, but his goons were, and I thought even though he'd probably walk, I was going to arrest Gold to show him that he couldn't fit the law into his pocket. Threw him up against a car and everything. That's when he laughed and told me."

"Whoa."

"Right?"

"That's some serious Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker drama there."

"Exactly. I was a wreck."

"DNA test?"

"Confirmed."

"Shit."

"Now I know why my mom never talked about him. She's been gone five years now."

After long moments of silence, Emma released the breath she was holding. "Still… the crimes of the parents should not be transferred to the child."

"Yeah, I know that. But, honestly, I like my job now. I don't want to be sheriff."

Emma chuckled, "Fair enough."

Neal stood and frowned at her. "You got to know that I would never let what I just told you interfere with my job."

"Do you two… talk?"

"Personally, not if I can help it."

Emma nodded and was grateful that her super power sensed he was telling the truth. She could trust that he would do his job honorably and with integrity. She respected that.

"Thanks for sharing that with me. If anyone gives you crap for this, let me know."

His small smile and head nod was his reply. It was as if now that the air was clear, they could start over.

After he was gone, Emma worked diligently to meet her goal for today, the stack of reports littering her desk. Her cell phone rang in her coat pocket, hanging on the rack. When she retrieved it, she smiled because it was a Facetime call from her sister, Elsa.

Plugging in her earbuds she activated the call and found both Elsa and Anna looking back at her. Her dimples flashed as they both greeted her loudly and in unison. "What's happening, hot stuff!" Their rowdy laughter set her off and her heart pinged just a little missing them.

"What's happening is I'm making this job my bitch."

Anna tilted her head, a twinkle in her light-colored eyes. "We knew you'd rock it as Sheriff."

"How are things in Virginia?"

"We're having a heatwave. The temperature is unbearable. Thank goodness for air-conditioning."

"And the aunts?"

"Crazy as ever!"

"We all miss you, Ems. When you coming back to visit?"

"Christmas. I'll be there for Christmas."

Anna balked, "Not Thanksgiving? You know Aunt Ingrid makes a mean Turkey and homemade stuffing."

Emma groaned, "Don't tempt me. We'll see. Maybe."

For some reason, the idea of sitting at a Thanksgiving set dinner table with Regina and Henry sprouted in her mind. She wondered if Regina cooked turkey every year or if she went to spend it somewhere else. Last year she had probably had it with Mal. Emma cringed inwardly and pushed the thought from her mind.

"Speaking of tempting…" Anna wiggled her eyebrows, and teased, "Have you tempted anybody to go cavorting on the Dark Side with you?"

"Why are you two so interested in my sex life?"

Elsa answered, "So we can have something to report back to the Aunts with. They're constantly wondering when you're going to settle down and make an 'honest woman of some lucky girl'." Again, Regina Mills jumped into Emma's thoughts.

"And what about you two?" When one wasn't ready to answer, deflect. "Anna, are you still dating Kristoff?"

"Yes," Elsa rolled her eyes, "And she needs to move out with him before I kill them both."

Emma laughed, "What's going on?" She watched Anna shove Elsa jokingly and both sisters smiled at one another. They shared an apartment above the restaurant, while the Aunts lived in a large two story ranch house only a few miles away.

"They need to be…" Elsa's eyes darted from Anna to Emma and she leaned closer and meaningfully said, "…quieter…"

Oh holy hell. Emma threw her head back and laughed uncontrollably. Damn, she missed them. She only laughed like this with them, though she did come incredibly close with the Millses the other night.

Sheesh, Swan! Can you stop thinking about Regina and Henry for five minutes.

"Awwww," Elsa said. "Who's that?"

Ripped from her own thoughts Emma frowned at the phone, that she had let slip down a little bit. When she heard a clearing of a throat, she turned and saw no one at eye level but a movement from below brought her sights down.

"Hi Emma."