A/N: Charming's name in this story is going to be James to help separate everything out later on plus it always annoys me that every other character in Once gets two different names except him.

Thanks again for the review! You guys are the best readers ever :P

Enjoy!

/

Emma hated mornings.

In her opinion they were the worst part of any day because who actually wanted to leave their bed and be productive? She would much rather bury herself into her covers and switch off her mind from all the weird events that had been happening lately.

Mainly with Graham.

She really wanted to stop thinking about Graham.

What Emma hated even more than mornings was having to leave her bed before the sun was even up but she knew what she had signed on for when Graham had offered her the job and if she was being honest she did really like it. There was something about the situation she was in now getting to know a son she never thought she'd have the chance to know and putting down roots that Emma didn't want to admit felt nice.

So when she got the call from Mr Gold about someone breaking into his shop Emma didn't let her annoyance at having to leave her bed show. This was her job and her responsibility as deputy to this town.

Responsibility.

Huh, not as scary as she first thought it would be.

Emma had called Graham and let him know about the situation and she was only mildly surprised when she heard David's voice on the other end of the line rather than the Sheriff's. After Graham's weird display in the office yesterday she was hardly shocked that he was avoiding her. He couldn't get out of there fast enough.

It was still dark out when Emma reached Gold's shop, zipping up her jacket a bit further to protect herself against the chill. David was already there and waiting for her, leaning against the squad car he'd driven looking as tired as Emma felt.

She managed a smile as he saw her, "Did you speak to Gold?" She asked as she made her way over to him.

David stood up straighter, "Yeah, he is trying to figure out if anything is missing. Apparently he came here to sort through some new items when he opened the door and found one of the glass cabinets had been smashed and the back door was wide open."

Emma nodded, "Okay, let's clear the scene and see what went down."

David followed her lead as they went into the store. Emma went in first, gun raised in case the intruder was still about and David was close behind her with his gun in his hands as well. They swept the shop over with their eyes, each taking a different corner of the room.

Emma noticed the glass on the floor, it crushed underneath her boots as she walked over to the counter. Only one cabinet had been damaged which meant whoever broke in knew what they were looking for.

David seemed to notice the same thing, "This was planned." He commented.

Emma nodded, "Yeah, I don't know what someone could want with one of Gold's trinkets though. They never seemed to look that expensive to me."

"Let's keep looking." David replied, "But the intruder seems to be long gone."

Emma couldn't help but agree with him as she scanned over the other items in the room, seeing them undisturbed. They worked in silence for a while, eyes cataloguing the damage and theories as to what had happened forming in their minds.

It shocked Emma how comforting this felt, the silence with David. It wasn't awkward and much like the first time that had meet when she had given him his badge Emma felt that same pull in her chest of comfort and safety. That was something she wasn't used to feeling and found it nothing short of irrational to feel it towards someone she barely knew.

She spoke just to ignore that feeling, "So you kissed my roommate?"

David's shoulders visible tensed, "Is this where I get a threatening speech?"

"Do you need one?" Emma countered but she already knew the answer. She could tell from the honesty he had showed her when they first met that he was a good person.

"I'd never hurt her, you know?" David replied after a moment, "I know that wasn't a smart move and I can't explain my actions. I just…" he trailed off.

Emma pressed him for more, "What?"

"Have you ever felt something you're not even sure you can describe?" He asked softly.

He had no idea. Emma simply nodded.

"That's why I kissed her."

It was the truth, Emma knew.

She nodded again, "Okay."

David stopped and looked over at her, "Okay." He nodded with a smile.

"I'm secretly rooting for you guys." Emma said quietly, her eyes looking anywhere but his face, "She deserves something good and I think you could be it."

David practically beamed at her, "I'll try to live up to your expectations."

"You'd better." She smiled across the dimly light room.

David's face became a mask that Emma couldn't read at that statement. Like he was a million miles away but it was gone before Emma could voice anything about it.

"I'll go check the back, then we can go. Paperwork before 7am should be illegal." Emma said instead as she approached the back room, stepping over as much glass as she could avoid as she went.

The back room was as empty as the front of the store. The only sign it had been disturbed was the back door which was left wide open.

Emma took another step towards the door, planning to inspect it for any clues when she heard a creak from the other side of the room. Her head whipped round quickly to try and locate the noise when the shelves to her left suddenly toppled towards her.

She moved as quickly as she could, catching her arm on the corner of the unit as it hit the ground with a thud, several items smashing against the wooden floor. Emma was on the floor herself, just managing to avoid the weight on the shelves collapsing on her as she gripped her arm in her other hand.

"Emma!" David's voice was frantic as he rushed into the room. He took one look at the shelves before meeting her gaze and Emma was taken back by the fear in them, "Are you okay?"

She tore her gaze from his and attempted to stand. David was there in a second, one hand under her good arm to help her to her feet. She nodded, "Yeah, I got out of the way before any real damage was done. That's weird, it's like it fell on its own."

David was frowning and Emma herself couldn't understand how it was possible for shelves to fall without a push but there was no one else in the room. Her arm was stinging and Emma bowed her head to inspect it. A piece of glass must have cut through her jacket and sliced the skin of her arm, "We need to get that looked at." David replied, seeing the injury.

"It's fine, I just need a bandage." Emma said as she let her arm drop. His concern was making her uncomfortable, she wasn't used to concern for her wellbeing from anyone and the protectiveness David was practically radiating wasn't helping.

He caught her gaze again, "If you won't go to the hospital then you're going to have to let me take a proper look back at the station."

"It's just a cut. I've had worse from falling over." Emma insisted.

David was having none of it, "Please, Emma. I promise to let it go if I can take a look just to make sure there is nothing in the wound."

There was something in his voice at caught her.

Protectiveness, sure. But something else, something she couldn't identify.

Emma nodded, "Okay, but it really is nothing."

David looked like he was about to argue when their attention was drawn to another voice entering the room, "I thought you were meant to investigate the break in, not add to the list of damages?" Gold said as he leant on his cane, face stoic.

"Your shelves fell on me," Emma asked icily, "And your theft is long gone. We'll ask around and see if anyone saw anything but considering the time that's not likely. Do you know what was missing?"

Gold stepped further into the room and Emma felt David go rigid at her side, stepping a little in front of her. That was odd. "Only one item according to my inventory list. A lamp."

"A lamp?" David frowned.

"Like a light?" Emma added at the same time.

Gold sighed, "More like an heirloom from somewhere near India."

Emma frowned, "Why would someone want a lamp?"

Gold smirked a little at the question, "Well that would entirely depend on the person, Miss Swan."

David put one hand on Emma's back as he guided her towards the door, "We'll let you know if we find anything. I'm sorry about the mess."

The Pawnbroker dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "I think Miss Swan came off worse," he said nodded towards her arm, "Allow me to give you something for your troubles, Deputy."

Emma frowned in confusion as Gold walked over to the table on the right side of the room, he picked up a long wooden box from it and hobbled back over to Emma and David.

There was large grin on his face that gave Emma chills as he presented it to her.

"You don't need to give me anything, it's all part of the job." Emma replied and David looked ready to punch Gold right there. Emma didn't understand his hatred for the man but chose to file that thought away for later.

Gold's smile only grew, "I insist. I think this will do better in your possession than my own."

He placed the cane in the crook of his arm and lifted the lid to show Emma the inside of the box. There nestled amongst the lined velvet was a sword with a gold handle and white inlay.

David froze as Gold pushed the sword into Emma's confused hands. What the hell did she want a sword for?

"What are you playing at, Gold?" David demanded, stepping in front of Emma now, "What do you know?"

The Pawnbroker shrugged, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Mr Nolan. It is a charming sword though, is it not?"

It was Emma's turn to guide David out of the shop before he punched someone and she had to arrest him. The sword box was under her good arm as they left.

Gold smiled as he watched from the window.

A former Prince, his not so little girl and in her hands?

Her father's sword.

Oh, he did love the irony.

…

James had to remind himself that he was playing a role here and couldn't very well go into Gold's shop and demand to know what in the hell Rumpelstiltskin was doing and what he remembered. Emma looked as confused as before, her fingers traced the box on her desk as she sat down waiting for him to return with the first aid kit for her arm.

The box with his sword in it.

He felt a pang of sadness at that, a physical reminder of his life in his daughter's hands. He would have taught her how to use it, he knew, and she'd be just as good as any of his knights if not better. His warrior princess, just like her mother.

James sighed as he grabbed the kit Graham always kept in his office and returned back to his daughter. Emma had shrugged off her jacket and rolled the sleeve of her t-shirt up so he could see the wound which thankfully wasn't too bad. James pulled a chair over and sat down in front of his daughter as he went through the first aid kit for supplies.

"Why a sword?" Emma asked, "That's so random."

James could only shrug, "I don't know. Who knows why Gold does anything."

He pulled out a wipe from the box and ripped it open, gently he grabbed Emma's arm in his hand and started to clean the cut on her arm. She winced at the sting, "Sorry." James muttered, trying to be as quick as he could.

Emma didn't say anything for a moment, "You know what the weirdest thing about this is?"

"What?" James asked, eyes on his task. He hoped their conversation would distract her as he cleaned the cut.

"The sword, it looks exactly like the one from Henry's storybook. The one Prince Charming carries." Emma said with a laugh, "It's uncanny."

James felt his heart freeze at the statement, his eyes flipping to meet Emma's as he dropped the used wipe on the table, "Is that so?"

"I sound just like Henry." Emma mused, "I knew reading that book was a bad idea."

"Because of a sword?" James questioned with a raised eyebrow as he grabbed the bandage from where he had set it aside.

Emma shook her head, "I don't know, there's just something…" She trailed off, her eyes going to the sword as James continued dressing her arm. "He thinks you're Prince Charming, you know?"

She was definitely throwing him curveballs today.

James forced himself to keep his tone light, "Well I don't know where I would have learnt how to use a sword here." He jested and was careful to phrase the statement well, "Who does he think you are?" A dangerous question but if Emma was feeling bolder than he would meet it.

"Your daughter." She stated bluntly and James was only thankful he was sitting down, "I mean the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White."

James nodded as he finished off the bandage, "Well, I'd certainly be proud."

He patted her hand after he was done and Emma took her arm back looking uncomfortable. It made his heart ache at seeing how uncomfortable his daughter was with praise or any kind of affection.

She looked around the space awkwardly, "I should go meet Henry, and I promised him a trip to Granny's." James knew she was thankful for the escape route and didn't try to stop her as she grabbed her jacket, "Thank you… for having my back today." She said softly before leaving.

James smiled, "That's what I'm here for."

It wasn't a lie.

…

Henry was already sitting in a booth with a hot chocolate when Emma arrived at Granny's. The little boy's mouth instantly curving into a smile as he saw her.

"You better have ordered me one of those." Emma said as she slipped into the booth across from him.

Henry smiled, "So you finished it?"

Emma laughed at his eagerness. He had shown up at her door yesterday and said he needed the storybook for very important Operation Cobra stuff and Emma said he could take it as she finished it the other day. Henry's eyes went wide and made her promise they could meet up and talk about it.

"I finished it." Emma nodded, "Certainly different from the versions I grew up with, Kid."

"Did you like it?" Henry asked cautiously.

Emma took a moment to answer, "Yeah, Henry. I liked them." She replied as she stole some of his whipped cream with her finger and popped it in her mouth, "I forgot how much those stories taught kids about happiness and belonging somewhere. I wish I read a few more when I was your age."

Henry looked her in the eyes, "You belong here."

"Henry, Regina is your mom." Emma reminded him gently.

The little boy shook his head, "That's not what I meant. You don't belong here just because of me, you might have stayed because of me at first but now you've got your own life."

"I don't think…" Emma started but Henry cut her off.

"You've got David and Mary and Graham. Your friends. You've got a job and a place to stay. I didn't do any of that, you did. You started believing a happy ending was possible when you put down roots here."

Emma was taken back by Henry's assessment, "I'm really only sticking around because of Granny's grilled cheese." She joked.

Henry smiled, "You belong here."

Emma looked at her son for a moment and nodded, "Yeah, Kid. Maybe I do."

And for the first time, it felt right to say it.

Because Emma Swan figured she belonged just about anywhere her son was.

…

Mary was thankful that Alfie had taken the late shift tonight because all she really needed was a hot bath and an early night. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and buttoned up her coat before stepping out into the cold weather. The bar was currently quiet and Mary knew tonight would be one of those quiet ones as well so Alfie could definitely handle it. She was just about to head home when she heard a voice behind her.

"If you're not working tonight, you should let me buy you a drink." Jason called out as he pushed himself off the wall to walk over to her with a grin.

Mary sighed because the last thing she wanted to deal with was Jason right now. In a move particularly bold on her part she responded, "Why would I want to get a drink with someone who set me up for stealing?"

It was a bad decision but it had been niggling away at her for a while now.

Jason looked shocked, "You think I had something to do with that?"

"I know you did." Mary replied, "I just don't know why."

"You must be mistaken." Jason said with a harsh edge to his voice, "I quite like having you around." He said as he stepped closer to her, his body seeming to loom over her.

Mary felt her strength leave her, "I need to get going." She said as she tried to take a step back.

Jason wasn't having that though and placed a hand on her back to keep no more than the little distance already been them, "Come on, Mary. We could have some fun together, you and I."

Mary shuddered at the thought, "Back off, Jason."

"And if I don't?" He challenged, "Then what will you do?"

Mary was about to punch him or scream or kick him. Pretty much anything she could be get free of him and his horrible alcohol tainted breath.

A different voice cut in first, one she would recognise anywhere despite how much that thought annoyed her.

"You should worry about what I'm going to do." David was angry, his hands clenched at his side as he walked over to them. Jason's hand dropped from her back as David reached them and Mary shot him a grateful look. David wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her protectively into his side, "Sorry I'm late; parking was a nightmare. You ready to go?" He asked her in a loving voice that threw Mary completely off track. David gave her a look that she instantly understood as 'just go along with it' and she smiled.

She clung on to the edge of his jacket with her fingers, "Absolutely."

Jason was watching them suspiciously, "You two are together?"

"What we are is not your concern." David said bluntly, "But if you come near her again in any way I deem inappropriate for her boss I'll punch you then arrest you for harassment."

The threat was clear to understand. Stay the hell away from her.

Jason laughed and raised his hands in a mock surrender as he walked back inside the bar. Mary stepped out of David's arm with a smile, "Thanks for the save."

He was still angry, "He shouldn't even be able to walk."

"You're kind of overprotective, did anyone ever tell you that?" She asked with a smile.

David's eyes met hers, "Someone did once. A long time ago."

Mary wanted to press him for details but thought better of it, "I should go."

"How about I buy you a drink instead?" David asked, "It's the least I can do after our encounter the other day."

She should say no. This guy kissed her one moment and was jumping to her defence in the next, he made no sense to her.

Her brain was telling her to decline the offer.

Her heart was screaming at her to accept.

"Only if it's anywhere but here." She agreed.

David smiled, "I know I place."

Granny's was quiet when they stepped inside and Mary had to admit she didn't spend much time here but she wished she had. It was nice and homely and as David led her over to a booth Mary could see the appeal of the family run business.

Ruby came over to take their order and Mary wasn't even sure what to order. She looked over at David sheepishly, "We'll take two hot chocolates please, Ruby. With some cinnamon." He requested and Ruby smiled before disappearing to get their order.

"Cinnamon?" Mary asked with a raised eyebrow, "Where did you get that combination from?"

He wanted to say her but he knew he couldn't so he smiled, "You'll love it, I promise."

The conversation between them flowed easily and Mary hated how natural it was. She was setting herself up for tragedy and she knew it. It would be better for everyone if she left right now.

But there was something about this man that made her stay; that made her want to stay.

"What is this?" She asked bluntly when they lapsed into a silence.

David frowned, "A conversation?"

"I meant you," She explained, "What are you doing, what is this to you?"

He seemed to pause for a moment, "I kind of thought with that kiss you'd figure out I… I like you."

"Why?"

He laughed then, "Why not?"

"You're wasting your time with me." Mary replied with a sigh, it was better he know now, "Happy endings aren't my style and I'm pretty sure love is a lie we tell children so you'd do better to get out now."

David's blue eyes met her green ones, "Then I'll just have to change your mind."

Mary snorted, "Good luck with that."

"I'm being serious, Mary." David said passionately and she found herself unable to tear her gaze away, "If it takes me the rest of our lives you'll get a happy ending. You'll know what it feels like to be loved."

It should have scared her, the conviction of his statement but it didn't.

A little excited thrill went through her instead.

She believed every word.

Ruby came over with their drinks and she took a hesitant sip, letting the warm chocolate and cinnamon hit her throat.

He was right, she did love cinnamon in her hot chocolate.

/

So what do you think? Thoughts?

Please review? They mean so much to me

Thanks!

Next chapter includes: Regina seeing something that makes her take a new course of action and some Gremma development.