A/N: Wow so many hits for my first two chapters! How lovely to see so many people stopping by to see my work! Thanks to everyone that has stuck by me so far (I know it's a rather slow start), and an extra special thank you to my lone reviewer: Kendra Luehr. It was nice to get some feedback
To address a question that has gone unasked at the moment but I feel may come up in the future, I have a large chunk of this story already written and in the editing process, but I will eventually run out of pre-written material. I'm going to try and write as much as possible between now and the conclusion of my college career. However, I have to get back on the job search train soon, so I'll most likely limit my posts to one chapter a week to give myself some creative space. I've got the story mapped out, so I only need to continue writing and editing at a steady pace. If anyone is interested in betaing for me (god knows I can't catch all of my mistakes no matter how many times I re-read this), please let me know!
Kendra Luehr: Thanks so much! Well, this is going to start out EmmaxBelle with hints of EmmaxGold and BellexGold before eventually moving into an EmmaxBellexGold relationship (perhaps a bit reluctantly on Emma's part. I have even considered introducing some SwanQueen down the line, but I'm still debating that as I'm not sure how it will fit into the story. I just know I'd like to redeem Regina at some point, not that you asked xD). I've always thought the three of them would do rather well together, and it solves my problem of being torn between two ships. I know not everyone likes to share, but I see Belle as someone not limited by traditional ideas about gender, love, and sexuality. She fell in love with Rumple after all! You'll actually get some nice interaction in this chapter ;)
They quickly set about establishing a routine. If Isabelle was ever to feel at home, she was going to need some positive reinforcement. For the first few days, Emma worked from home as much as possible while they got Izzy acclimated to life at the loft. After a day's rest and a good meal-nothing too heavy as they couldn't know how she'd react-Emma helped Izzy around the apartment slowly. If Izzy was going to take care of herself while they were away, she'd need her strength back. Emma spent the entire day supporting Izzy as she slowly moved around the apartment, stopping every so often to answer any questions she might have as Izzy was unfamiliar with several of the items. Being trapped in a cell for so long hadn't provided Izzy with an education in technological advances. She'd have to learn to use even the simple appliances.
When Mary Margaret returned home that night, she allowed Izzy to sit close by while she cooked in her favorite sky blue apron. Emma had to run to the office to check up on a few things, so the two women chatted about sauces and spices. Mary Margaret took her time explaining what pots and pans were good for making soup and sautéing chicken, and Isabelle was quick to learn what herbs went well with the particular dish they were preparing. The more she questioned Mary Margaret, the less fuzzy Isabelle's domestic memories became. She had cooked once, at a different time and in a different place, and she was confident she'd do so again soon.
When Emma returned, small smiles and quiet giggles were her reward as she regaled Izzy with the trials and tribulations of being Storybrooke's sheriff. The cats just couldn't keep out of the trees when there was no real mischief taking place. As she listened to Emma with rapt attention Mary Margaret noted that for someone who had been locked away for several years, Isabelle was adjusting fairly well.
After the plates were cleared-Emma spent the better part of 5 minutes explaining the joys of owning a dishwasher-and the cocoa consumed, Emma helped Isabelle to bed and quietly climbed in beside her. The one night she'd opted to sleep in the chair after Isabelle had fallen to sleep, the girl had woken up in the middle of the night and had an episode. Isabelle couldn't sleep alone in the dark without waking up terrified that her rescue had been a cruel dream. Emma planned on having Archie address that problem, but in the meantime she saw no harm in keeping Isabelle company. She imagined it was the sort of thing an older sister might have done, and she'd always wanted a younger sibling.
Waking up with an armful of groggy Izzy quickly became a morning routine. Emma had jokingly called Izzy 'princess' one morning when the girl had simply grumbled at her and pulled the covers back over her head and refused to get up until Emma bid her a proper good morning. The nickname had stuck. Izzy was Emma's princess, and would awaken for no one else, no matter how hard they tried. On the mornings when her alarm wasn't set to wake them all up at the crack of dawn, Emma rested in bed until a giddy Izzy convinced her it was time for breakfast.
For all of the chipper spirit she mustered after Emma woke her, Izzy was by no means a morning person. Isabelle's eyes drooped and her mouth curled into a sleepy smile as she accompanied a cursing Emma to the kitchen, and she had a habit of dragging the comforter with her like a safety blanket until she'd had her morning coffee. They always had coffee, never tea. Emma had unknowingly made the mistake of offering Izzy tea the first morning they'd begun their breakfast routine and the girl had dissolved into silent tears until Mary Margaret had soothed her with a warm smile and a few whispered words. Emma learned something new every day.
It was on the fifth such morning that Regina finally made her appearance. No doubt she'd waited to lull them into some misguided sense of security. She'd also waited until a day when she knew the loft would be empty. Evil witch. Emma had been working from home as best she could, but her job was finally demanding she be present.
"I'll be back soon, princess. I just got a call about a small disturbance down the street. Shouldn't be gone longer than an hour or two." She snatched her bagel from the toaster and stuffed it between her teeth so she could remove her jacket from the coat rack.
"Don't worry, Emma. I'll be fine." Izzy smiled from her place on the couch.
Emma fished out her keys and shoved breakfast in her pocket before nodding slowly. "If anything happens, you have my number and the emergency line extension. Don't be afraid to use it."
Izzy's smile widened. "Really Emma, I'll be fine. Now go, one of the neighborhood felines may need you."
Emma gave her one last look before reluctantly flying out the door. Izzy giggled as the door slammed shut. Who knew Emma was such a worrywart? Better yet, who knew she'd be rescued by such a brave woman. When she'd first been put in the psych ward she'd had flickers of hope that a certain someone might come for her, but as the days dragged on she realized that was simply her own wishful thinking. When the hope of rescue died out, the only thing that kept her going was a desire for revenge. She'd survive, and one day she'd get out. When she did, Regina better be ready for her.
A knock at the door startled Izzy from her book and her thoughts. No use dwelling on her past now, she couldn't do anything until her body healed. The knock sounded again. They hadn't entertained anyone since she'd been here. Emma must have forgotten her key. Izzy slowly stood and began making her way to the door, step by step. "Coming." She called.
The wide smile she plastered on her face quickly died when she opened the door and looked into the eyes of her rather unwelcome visitor. That was definitely not Emma.
"Miss French, how lovely to see you again."
It was her.
Izzy felt herself sway under the avalanche of emotions and grabbed hold of the door jamb to steady herself. She refused to show her anymore weakness. "Madame Mayor." Izzy bit out, jaw clenched tightly.
Regina smiled wide, all pearly whites beneath bloody lips. The emotion flickering in her eyes was most certainly not kindness. "May I come in, Miss French? We need to have a little…chat."
Izzy gave no answer, but Regina moved to pass her anyway. She stopped abruptly when Izzy's arm planted itself firmly in her face. "I don't think that's such a good idea, Madame Mayor. This isn't my home, and it wouldn't be proper for me to invite guests in while Emma and Mary Margaret are away."
Regina's smile melted into a scowl, and when she spoke her voice came out laced with warning. "I'm not someone you want to make an enemy of, Miss French." She paused as her brows furrowed and her eyes darkened, "You have no idea what I am capable of." Regina finished with a hiss.
"Fortunately," a voice appeared from behind Regina. "I have sense enough for the both of us."
If possible, Regina's scowl deepened. "Sheriff Swan," she growled without turning around. "Don't you have a job to do?"
Isabelle felt the breath she'd been holding release as she spied Emma's confident smirk behind Regina. "It would seem we've both been caught off duty, Madame Mayor. However," the smirk on her face morphed into a wide smile as Regina spun around in rage. "I'm on my lunch break." Emma held up the takeout bag that had gone unnoticed at her side.
"How utterly convenient." Regina was clearly not convinced.
"Everyone's gotta eat." Emma chirped as she pushed past Regina and placed herself between the mayor and Isabelle. "I'd invite you to join us, but I'm afraid I only got enough for two." Her smile turned sweet as she finished. Better end things quick. The hand clutching the back of her coat had not gone unnoticed.
Regina's expression turned feral. "It's so lovely to see Miss French up and about again, Sheriff Swan, but keeping her locked away in here," she paused and smiled at Isabelle. "well, people might think she's still a danger to society. Crazy they'll say."
"I'm not crazy." Izzy declared forcefully from behind Emma.
"That's exactly what a crazy person would say, Miss French. I only hope that the townspeople are as understanding as Sheriff Swan here." Regina replied, false sympathy creeping into her tone.
As the grip on her coat tightened, Emma realized she'd better get Regina out before they both did something Isabelle would regret later. "Well, as lovely as this little chat has been, Madame Mayor, I'd really like to eat my lunch before it gets cold. Time is ticking away while we stand here, and grilled cheese waits for no woman."
"Of course, Sheriff Swan. We wouldn't want you to waste anymore of the taxpayer's hard-earned money on an extended lunch break." Regina beamed, all teeth and dark delight, before stepping back from the doorway. She paused and turned back around, the look on her face promising trouble. "Be careful whom you associate with, Miss French. One wrong move and you may wind up back in the hospital…where you no doubt bel—" Emma slammed the door before Izzy could hear the rest. The only thing that ever came out of Regina's mouth was poison.
"Right," Emma sighed. "Now that she's gone I say we dig in." Emma hoisted the takeout bag into her arms and turned to Izzy with a tentative smile. Her smile fell as she viewed her companion huddled on the floor. Izzy's breathing was heavy and she was staring at her shaking hands.
"Izzy?" Emma ventured. "Hey what's up, princess?" She set the takeout bag on the floor before reaching to grasp Izzy's shoulder. "Regina's gone, and I told you I wouldn't let her get you."
"I won't let her." Izzy whispered.
"Won't let her what?" Emma queried, a brow raised in confusion.
When Izzy looked up there was an ice present in her eyes that Emma hadn't seen before. "I won't let her trick me again." She declared boldly. "I'll die before she sticks me in another dungeon." The look in Isabelle's eyes was one Emma recognized from her days in the system. It was a look of desperation.
"Nobody will be dying while I'm around, thanks, and Regina most certainly won't be getting her hands on you again. Besides, once we bring Regina's little project to light I'm sure the board at the hospit—"
"Emma." Izzy interrupted softly.
"Yeah, princess?"
"I think…I think I need some air." Izzy pleaded as the walls seemed to slowly close in around her. She needed to see the sky. To know that she was still free.
Emma nodded in understanding. The sandwiches were more than likely cold by now. She'd stick them in the fridge and take one for lunch tomorrow. "Alright princess, it's about time to take you out. I know people are excited to see you." She finished with a grin.
Izzy laughed bitterly. "Ah yes, no doubt they all want a glimpse of the crazy French girl they've been hearing so much about."
Emma wanted to bang her head on the door. How could she have been so stupid!? "Er no, Izzy. I meant some friends. Granny wants to make sure I'm feeding you properly, and Ruby is dying to take you shopping."
Izzy looked a bit baffled when Emma finished. Was she supposed to know these people? The only memories she had were of… "Let's go!" Izzy blurted quickly. Best not to dwell on her past for the time being.
"Great!" Emma grinned and helped Izzy to the front door. "Y'know it's pretty late, you might even meet Henry today." She mused.
Izzy paused, one arm threaded through the sleeve of her light, white sweater. "Henry?" Was Emma with someone? But she'd never—
"My son." Emma declared happily as she helped a stunned Isabelle with her other sleeve. "You haven't met him yet since the loft is off limits while you recover, but he should be at the diner hanging around with some homework if we're lucky." She finished cheerfully as she led Isabelle through the front door and started down the hall.
Izzy stopped at the top of the stairs, feeling dizzy. Emma had just hit her with a huge piece of information and acted as if it were no more serious than a discussion about the weather. "You have a son?" she finally gasped. "His father—"
"Isn't around." Emma interjected flatly. This was not a conversation she planned on having. At least not on the stairs in the hallway, and certainly not that day.
Izzy's fists unclenched at her admission. She started down the steps toward a tight-faced Emma wearing a repentant expression. "Forgive me, Emma. I didn't mean to pry."
The dark look on Emma's face disappeared instantly as Isabelle's hand came to rest on her hand. "No, no it's fine. I'm sorry for snapping at you. There was no way you could have known without me telling you." As Izzy opened her mouth to respond Emma grabbed her hand and led her through the front door. "Now c'mon. It's a lovely day out princess, and the walk will do you good."
"Such a beautiful day." Izzy smiled softly, a light pink tingeing her cheeks as she moved closer to Emma and looped her hand through the sheriff's arm.
Emma shifted slightly but said nothing as Isabelle pressed closer. Izzy had regained a lot her strength, but the walk to Granny's was sure to fatigue her. She already looked flushed from the short trip down the stairs.
As the townspeople craned their heads to catch a glimpse of the lovely pair, the savior and the lost princess pressed forward—oblivious to the world—on a new adventure.