Early Or Late?

by Claire Blanc

As Emma finds out about her sudden feelings for the now dead Sheriff, she begins to see love in a different way. Feeling confident with relationships, she decides to try out a long lasting one instead, and searches for the right man. But when Emma finds out that Sheriff Graham is still alive and faked his death for some unknown reason, she becomes confused on what to do next.

3. Dr Hale

Chapter 3: Dr. Hale

Three Months Later...

"So, where do you live exactly? City wise anyway." Emma faked a smile as the doctor in front of her stuttered a little.

"I don't really live place, I mostly stay for a while, but I'm hoping to change that. Currently...a little town named Storybrooke."

"Oh, never heard of that, where is it?" He asked. Emma thought.

"Maine, of course, but farther up north than usual." Dr. Hale laughed.

"I don't think anyone could go up too far north."

"You might want to think about that." The two laughed as they continued eating. Emma dug through her salad and sipped her red wine every few moments to make it less awkward for not only her, but the doctor.

"Anything else I should be aware about? Married? Divorced? Dating?" Emma laughed.

"Now you sound like me. Nothing like that, more like I have a ten year old that I'm currently attempting to get back, but that's not that important to you.."

"No, no! Go on. There has to be an interesting story behind it." Emma smiled.

"Not really, I mean besides him finding me after ten years and bringing me to Storybrooke there's not much I can explain."

"He found you?"

"Yeah, its...complicated."

"Well, maybe you'll tell me again on our next date?" He said in a questioning voice.

"Did I already scare you away?" Dr. Hale laughed.

"No, I just have an operation to give to this little girl. Poor thing, her kidney's are failing."

"Oh, that's terrible." Emma said, smiling a sad smile at the doctor. "Well, I wish you both good luck." Dr. Hale laughed and took out a card and passed it to Emma.

"Well, thank you." He said smiling. "Call me when you get a chance and we can maybe have dinner again." Emma smiled and Dr. Hale quickly paid the bill, leaving Emma sitting alone at the table. She sipped down the rest of her wine quickly, making sure she didn't leave a drop in her glass and picked up her borrowed jacket from Mary Margaret.

She stood up, putting the jacket on and went outside as she called Mary Margaret.

"Finished already?" Mary said. Emma could tell that she was smiling.

"He had an operation to go do on a little girl." Emma said.

"How sweet." Mary said. Emma walked around the car and slid into the drivers seat. "Oh my God, it's already nine. I'm going to go okay?"

"Sure, have fun stalking David."

"I'm not stalking David, and you're going to tell me all the details when you get back."

"Sure, after I have a few more drinks."

"You and you're bottles will never separate will you?"

"Never. Dr. Hale and I...maybe."

"Okay, I gotta go! Bye!" Mary Margaret hung up and Emma laughed. Maybe letting down her walls and actually loving someone was the best idea at that moment, or at least the cure for forgetting about Graham.