AN: So no flashback in this Chapter, but I think people will enjoy the end. Again, lots more character development because I feel like it's essential to set the stage. As always, reviews and feedback are welcome.
It didn't take long for word of what was now affectionately referred to as "the slap heard 'round Storybrooke" to circulate. After Meg had left him standing on the beach stunned, his face feeling as if it was on fire, Hercules had made his way back to the Inn and attempted to sneak up to his room unnoticed. Unfortunately, Ruby happened to be heading down the stairs and noticed the bright red hand print on his cheek. She didn't stop to ask him about it, but pursed her lips and put a finger to them as he dropped his head to avoid her gaze and quickly made his way past.
"So you really hit him, huh?" Ruby asked the next morning.
Meg looked up, seemingly unfazed by the other woman's brazen questioning. "I did not hit him," she rolled her eyes. "Hitting implies a closed fist."
"So…what did he do? Did he cheat on you?"
"Ruby!" Snow cried. She had been sitting at the counter trying her best to stay out of things but felt at this point she needed to say something. "That's a little personal, don't you think? Even for you."
"I just mean, it must have been something pretty nasty for you to go all..." Ruby stopped, mimicking a slapping gesture with her hand.
"Well, not that I condone fighting, but whatever happened is Meg's business. We shouldn't pry," Snow huffed.
Meg slunk down in her seat, wishing she could just disappear and make all of this go away. She took a big gulp of her coffee in an attempt finish it quickly so she could leave.
"What's going on?" Emma questioned, sliding up behind Snow and placing an arm around her shoulder.
"Morning Emma," Snow greeted her daughter. "We're just…talking."
Emma's gaze landed on Meg and putting two and two together, figured out what the conversation had been about. She took a seat at the counter and ordered a coffee as Snow and Ruby chatted with each other. They went on for a few more minutes about relationships and of course, since Snow was involved in the conversation there were a few "hopes" and "true loves" tossed around. Emma watched as Meg seemed to sink deeper into the counter, as if she were wishing she could just disappear, and felt bad for the other woman. She realized that although Meg was friendly with Killian, she didn't know much about her.
"Hey," David said with a smile as he approached the group. "Sorry to interrupt, but Emma, we got a call about something we need to go check out."
Emma sat up, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at her father. "What's up?"
"This is really weird," he replied, hesitating for a moment. "But one of the farmers near the edge of town woke up this morning and found a giant…crop circle...in the middle of his field."
"Really?" Emma sighed. "We've had Snow Queens, hell beasts, and Queens of Darkness…and now, aliens?"
David shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing."
"Well then," Emma replied, hitting her knees with her hands. "Guess we should go do some sheriffing."
Snow kissed her husband goodbye and pushed Neal's stroller outside, leaving the brunette alone at the counter.
"Hey, I'll meet you at the car," Emma said to David. He gave her a quick nod and headed out. "Hey, Meg?"
Meg looked up but didn't speak.
"I get it…you know," Emma started, shifting uncomfortably. "I'm sure there's a lot of history with you and Hercules. I…know what that's like." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "We don't know each other very well, but since you seem to have a pretty good rapore with Killian, maybe we should. There's a potluck here tonight for Granny's birthday. You should come."
"Sounds…fun," Meg replied slowly. "I'll see if I can make it."
"Good," Emma nodded stiffly. "Hopefully I'll see you there."
Meg nodded back, watching as the blonde disappeared out the door.
Emma had run into Killian on her way to the car and since it appeared they were going to miss their usual morning coffee together, she had asked if he wanted to tag along with her and David.
"This is definitely one of the strangest things I've seen in a while," David spoke, stepping tentatively through the field of damaged crops.
"I'm not even sure of what I'm looking at," Killian mused.
Emma stood up from where she had been squatting down nearby. "Crop circles. Some people believe when aliens come to a planet looking to colonize it that their ships leave giant patterns in fields."
"Aliens?" Killian questioned.
"Yeah. You know…little green men from outer space, extraterrestrials, E.T."
"I have no idea what any of those things are. Do we need to be preparing ourselves for battle?"
"I think you and I need to have a Netflix marathon," Emma sighed.
"I've seen photos of crop circles in books," David spoke. "But this one looks a little…small compared to what I've read about."
"Honestly, this is probably just a harmless teenage prank," Emma shrugged. "It's not hard to make one with a few boards and some rope."
"And you know this how?" David raised an eyebrow quizzically.
Emma looked down, kicking at a dirt clod with one of her boots, looking slightly embarrassed. "The internet."
"There's something strange," Killian noted from a short distance away. "You said boards and ropes, aye?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well," he said picking up a piece of plant. "These don't so much look bent as they do…scorched."
"Yeah, I don't think we're dealing with teenage pranking," David replied.
"Then what are we talking about here?" Emma asked.
They were interrupted by David's phone ringing and he stepped a short distance away to listen to whoever was on the other end. When he returned he looked flustered. "No rest for the wicked today apparently."
"What's going on now?" Emma asked.
"Someone broke into the pawn shop."
Emma tentatively stepped over a few of the items that had been strewn about the floor of Mr. Gold's shop. He'd shown up that morning to find the place had been turned upside down. It wouldn't be the first time this had happened; although this time he'd been a bit surprised.
"It doesn't look like anyone forced their way in," David said from where he was examining the front door.
"No broken windows," Emma added. She turned to Gold, "Is there anything missing?"
"I haven't finished inventorying everything," he replied, a bit sarcastically. "I'd hoped to finish that once I cleaned things up."
"I'd ask if you knew of anyone who might have a grudge or a reason to break in," Emma replied. "But that would pretty much make everyone in town a suspect."
"Your boyfriend being near the top of that list, Miss Swan," Gold snipped, tossing a glare towards Killian.
Killian's shoulders straightened and his jaw clenched. "In all fairness, you did try to crush my heart."
"And If I remember correctly, you poisoned me with Dreamshade."
"Alright boys," Emma interrupted, sensing the direction the conversation was heading. "I think that's enough." She turned to Gold, keeping an eye on Killian as he glared shot daggers at the other man. "We'll take some statements and talk to a few people. Just let us know if you find anything missing."
Emma and David finished their investigation and signed some paperwork while Killian went outside to wait for them.
"You alright?"
"Fine, love," Killian sighed. "You know the history," he gestured toward the pawn shop with his head.
She snaked her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. "I know." As an afterthought she looked to where David was waiting by the sheriff car and called out, "We're going to walk back. We'll meet you at Granny's."
David nodded and climbed back into the car, disappearing a moment later. Once he was gone, Emma slid her hand into Killian's and they started the walk back together.
"It's been a weird day," she scrunched up her nose.
Killian looked down at her as they walked, silently asking what she meant.
"I don't know. I just have that feeling…"
"And what feeling is that, Swan?"
"The one where something crazy is about to happen,"
"Ah well, let's at least try and enjoy the festivities tonight before the impending chaos ensues," Killian chuckled.
She slapped him playfully on the chest. "I was hoping you'd tell me I was being silly and it's all in my head."
"Well then, you're being silly and it's all in your head."
"Ha-ha, very funny," Emma rolled her eyes.
Killian smiled at her, pressing a kiss to her forehead as they made their way into the diner hand in hand.
By the time Meg came down from her room, it seemed like most of the town was already crammed into the small space of the diner. She wished Granny a quick happy birthday, grabbed a drink and, surprisingly found an empty booth. As she watched people talking and laughing, drinking, and playing darts, Meg suddenly felt very out of place. Even though she had been a Storybrooke resident for roughly two-years, she realized that she didn't really know anyone other than Killian.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Killian asked, flashing Meg a smile as he slid into a seat.
Speak of the devil.
"Just watching the scene," she shrugged.
"It's a party. Why not, you know, party?"
"Guess I'm not big on celebrations."
"Well that's unfortunate," Killian replied, taking a sip of his beer.
Suddenly Meg noticed Hercules making his way to the counter. Killian turned and followed her gaze.
"I take it things have gone south with the two of you?"
Meg rolled her eyes. "There is most definitely no 'two of us'. I'm sure you heard all about my little escapade."
"I'm not one to believe in rumors and I don't fancy gossip."
"Well then, yes, I slapped him, and yes I felt good about it."
"I'm sure if you felt that was the best move, he probably deserved it."
Meg looked down, trying to pretend she was more interested in her drink. Killian seemed to sense she wasn't in the mood to discuss the matter.
"Look, love, I already told you I won't pry, but there's no sense sulking over it."
"I'm not sulking," Meg looked up.
"If you say so," Killian replied, noticing Robin gesturing him toward the dart board. "Don't have too much fun."
Meg spent the remainder of the evening not-sulking in her booth and as the party wound down, people began trickling out. She watched as Killian whispered something to Emma that made her blush, before he disappeared upstairs, followed by David giving his wife a quick kiss and heading out with the baby. Eventually the only people left were Emma, Ruby and a few other women chatting casually at the counter. Meg was just about to leave herself when Emma dropped another drink in front of her and sat down.
"I was just about to go, but thanks anyways for the drink."
"I said we should get to know each other better," Emma shrugged. "You don't seem big on social gatherings, so I thought maybe if it was just a few of us…"
Meg sat back against the seat, trying to decide whether or not to excuse herself again. Ultimately she let social conventions decide for her and figured one last drink couldn't hurt.
"So…" Meg said, pulling the glass toward her.
"Just how bad did he burn you?" Ruby asked, taking a seat next to Emma.
"Really, Ruby?" Snow rolled her eyes. She maneuvered herself off the barstool at the counter and made her way over to the other women.
Meg suddenly felt like she was being ganged up on.
"I just mean, there is CLEARLY something still there," Ruby said. "I see you watching him every time you're both in here at the same time. He watches you too; when he thinks you aren't looking."
"Don't mind Ruby," Snow shook her head, squeezing into the booth next to Meg. "Whatever happened between you two, it's your business. I will agree though, he seems to still care about you. I mean you are married."
"Were," Meg corrected. "The marriage ship sailed away a long time ago."
"You shouldn't give up hope though," Snow sighed dreamily. "I mean, if he's your true love, then I'm sure you can work through whatever happened."
"Sometimes things just aren't meant to work out," Emma said bluntly. "Not every relationship is true love."
"Thank you, Emma. I'm glad someone gets it," Meg replied, raising her glass toward the other woman.
"So…DID cheat on you?" Ruby blurted out, repeating her question from earlier that morning.
"Ruby!" Snow cried, eyes wide.
Meg felt the need to squash that thought before it went any further. Just because she and Hercules had a complicated past and a relationship she had no desire to rekindle, there was no need to ruin his chances if at some point he decided to pursue another woman. She didn't want people to think he was that kind of a cad. "No, he did not cheat on me. I'll give you that one."
"Besides it's not like everyone here doesn't have some pretty crappy histories when it comes to their love lives," Emma shrugged.
"What's going on over here?" Belle smiled, appearing next to the table.
"Oh we're just commiserating about men and love and all sorts of fun stuff," Emma told her.
"Ah, I see," Belle replied, and Meg noticed a bit of sadness in her expression.
"You know what else is weird," Emma mused. "I think pretty much everyone here has had a hand in ruining someone else's relationships."
"Excuse me?" Meg raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we all have these really messed up histories and we kind of did some of it to each other."
"You can say that again," Regina's voice called out from the counter. "I lost my true love when that one," she gestured towards Emma, "decided to time travel and bring back his long dead wife. Who then turned out to actually be my dead half-sister, the Wicked Witch."
"Hey, I didn't know she was his wife, or your sister, when I brought her back. Besides, you have Robin now," Emma defended herself.
"My husband stole Emma's boyfriend's heart, made him do horrible things and then tried to kill him," Belle added. "Before I banished him from town, only…to have him come back and try and kill my new boyfriend."
"It's not like you've been innocent in the love or life ruining department, Regina," Snow turned around. "Cursed us all and married my husband off to someone else."
"I ate my boyfriend," Ruby suddenly blurted out. Everyone turned to stare at her with either wide-eyes or in Regina's case, eye-rolling. "What? You all knew that. Well, most of you did anyways."
"Well, I think the point is," Snow coughed, breaking the silence, "That we're all in a good place now. It's not really worth it if you don't have to work for it. Sometimes it just takes something big to happen for you to realize what you want."
"Well, I don't think I want him back," Meg shrugged.
"Ah, well...you don't think you want him back, but to me…that means you don't know," Snow replied. "Anyways, it's getting late and I should get back to David and the baby. It was good chatting with you ladies, we should do this girl talk thing again." She stood from the table and waved as she made her way out.
"If you want my advice, Meg," Regina said pointedly, "What you really need is a night of just meaningless sex with someone you don't care about. Once that tension is gone, maybe you'll be able to stop making googly eyes with the man you clearly don't want back."
Meg shot Regina a menacing look as she wiggled her fingers at the remaining women and followed Snow out. Soon Belle and Ruby departed as well, leaving just Emma and Meg alone in the booth.
"Don't let any of what we said freak you out," Emma said. "I'm sure you'll figure things out. I'm going to head upstairs and check on my drunk pirate. You'll be alright?"
"Oh, I'll be fine," Meg replied. "Thanks though, for the chat."
"No problem. Have a good night."
Meg waved goodbye as she dragged herself out of the booth. She gathered up a few glasses from the table and headed to the back to wash them. Once she was done she made sure all of the lights were off in the diner and decided maybe some fresh air and a quick stroll around the block would ease her mind. Patting her pocket to make sure she had her key, she headed out the back door and started making her way down the street. She hadn't gotten far from the building when a figure in the street made her stop dead in her tracks. Even in the dark, with his features lit by street lamps and a slick black suit instead of a tunic, Meg knew who it was. She stood frozen, unable to move and hoped to all the Gods he hadn't seen her. The man turned, and she quickly shoved herself in the narrow space between two buildings, letting out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Standing on the street not ten feet from where Meg was hidden, was Hades.
TBC