A/N: So my ability to update this last week has not been great. It should get better. In fact I'm not above bargaining. If you review I'll post the next chapter tomorrow. What do you think fair? As always I'd like so thanks for all the follows and favorites. It means a lot that people like this enough to keep coming back to read more. I hope you enjoy it, and if you want to see the next chapter sooner rather than later, review!

My bug sticks out of the parking lot like a sore thumb, the bright yellow like a homing beacon. It's only when I get to the driver's side door that I remember I've left my keys in Regina's room. "God damn." I mutter to any deity that's listening. I double check the pockets of my red leather jacket, but no they are definitely on the tray at the side of Regina's bed. It takes a lot of self-restraint not to kick the tyre, but I know that doing so will only damage the bug or my foot.

I'd gone out to the car this morning to get my bag, hoping I'd stuffed some headphones in there for my sanity's sake. When I came back in there was someone replenishing the water jugs, so I'd thrown my bag down and swapped the jugs. Dropping my car keys on the counter in the process.

I let my forehead rest against the top of the door. The metal is cool against my skin; it helps me focus for just a moment. It's complicated to say the least. It was all years ago now, things got blown up out of proportion. In other circumstances I suppose water would have passed under that particular bridge and things would be ok now. Unfortunately, there will be no reprieve, things were said that can't be forgiven. Actions taken which are impossible to undo.

I turn and lean my back against the car, head tilted up to the sky watching the clouds. Good air in. Bad air out. I just need a little time, a little space from the situation. If I walk to the B&B I can try and find a room. Kill two birds with one stone.

It's not far, and the walk helps clear my head. Storybrooke is really quite picturesque, the kind of place you come to get away from the city for the weekend. There would definitely be a column or two in it. White picket fences and the American dream.

Granny's is exactly the quaint kind of B&B I expected, Ruby the girl behind the counter less so. I ask about a room, she takes my name and tells me to come back this evening to check in. There's some muttering about the 'old lady' signing off on it. I order a hot cocoa with whip cream and sit in a booth dowsing it with cinnamon sprinkles. Suddenly I'm very tired. My eyes close, as I rest my fingers at my temples, breathing in the smell of cinnamon and chocolate.

"Emma?" A voice I'm sure I know asks. I look up, and smile. Her hair is short now, but it is undoubtedly Mary Margaret in front of me. She's hardly changed a bit. "Emma!" She breaks into and makes to hug me.

"What in God's name are you doing here?" I ask I'm surprised to see her but not shocked. Mary Margaret, like Regina grew up here. Her father was some well to do business associate of Cora's, so when she ended up at the same college as Regina, Mrs. Mills had insisted that her daughter take the younger woman under her wing. Regina, who had baby sat for Mary Margaret wasn't so fond of her tagging along, but I instantly took a shine to the young woman. She was just so well meaning and naive. Regina called her Snow, because she said she was the physical manifestation of the Disney princess. Which was fitting, later when Regina garnered the nickname of The Evil Queen.

"I live here." Snow shrugs, almost embarrassed, possibly apologetic as she sits opposite me in the booth. Apparently I was wrong, some things can be forgiven. "What about you?"

"Regina." I stare at the rapidly melting cream on the cocoa. "She wrote me."

"I'm glad you came." Snow reaches out and squeezes my hand. "She really needs you."

"You've seen her?" My eyebrows rise instantly, again I'm surprised but not shocked.

She nods and bites her bottom lip slightly, "David and I, we take turns bringing Henry to her."

My heart stops. I'd done so well. No one had mentioned him directly yet. My discomfort is palpable. "Oh. God. Emma I'm sorry!" Snow winces as she realises her mistake.

"It's fine." I shrug it off. Except I can't quite shrug it off. Regina has no problem forgiving Mary Margaret, that is quite obvious. Yet I'm the one still on the receiving end of the vitriol.

"For what it's worth," Mary Margaret begins, biting ever so slightly on her lip again, "she's never really forgiven me." It's like she can read my mind, but then she always could. "She puts up with me because – because well, I was relentless in my apologies. I even moved back here to – well. And now I'm convenient, because you know what her mother is like." She says that in almost a whisper. "And Henry likes me, and David." I nod in understanding quick to change the subject. It still hurts. "I teach his fourth grade class." She continues, and I nod again silently twisting the mug of cocoa on the table. "Speaking of which, I should – I should get going." She squeezes my hand again. "Maybe I'll see you later?" She asks hopefully.

"Sure. Yeah. Definitely." I nod with a weak smile. I'd love to see her and David, I just have to see Regina again first. "I'll be staying here for a few days so."

"I'll come by and we can have a proper lunch. I'll bring David. He'd love to see you." I smile properly now and nod, that's something to look forward to at least.