Sidney was already at the bar that morning when Emma came in, hair ruffled and bags under her eyes. She sat at the bar next to him and ordered a pastrami sandwich to go and a hot chocolate before putting her head on the counter and letting out an aggravated sigh.
"Emma? What's going on?" Sidney asked.
"Mr. Gold," Emma groaned. "Went crazy last night…almost beat a man to death. Kept me up all night being difficult about his paperwork. Did you know his middle name is 'Ulysses'?"
"Really?" Sidney digested that information, then gave Emma a reproachful look. "So why didn't you call me last night?"
Emma frowned and took a sip of her cocoa. "Why would I call you? I was busy all night."
"Because I'm your ally," Sidney insisted. "I could've helped you."
"You could've helped me dig up information on Mr. Gold?" Emma asked skeptically. "Come on, Sidney, I bet you don't even know where he lives."
"Maybe not, but how can I know if you won't trust me?"
Emma sighed.
"OK, Sidney, let's get something straight here: you're my ally. I get that, and I really do appreciate it." She put her hand on his arm. "But you're not my deputy."
Ruby brought her sandwich out in a brown paper bag, and Emma stood up to leave.
"I'll call you when I need you, OK?" she said.
As she left the diner, Sidney smiled to himself as he took another sip of his drink. She said 'when,' not 'if.'
Author's Notes: I am not revealing what I've named Mr. Gold in this story; the only thing you need to know is that it starts with an "A."