CHAPTER 8

Henry got up bright and early. He was thrilled that Emma had come back for him.

He threw on his clothes quickly and was preparing to race down to the inn to see her. But when he got to the door he found a surprise. There were new locks in place. Two way locks that were locked from the inside.

He raced to the nearest window and tried to open it. When it only went so far he investigated trying to figure out why. That's when he saw the nails in place. He raced to the next window, and the next, and then all of the windows all of the way back up to his room. They were all nailed shut.

He sat on his bed with his face twisted in anger. The Evil Queen might've won this time.

But his real Mom was here now. As far as he was concerned, Emma practically walked on water. She was the biggest, baddest, bravest superhero of them all. And he was her son. That made him special too. But his real Mom, she was going to destroy the Evil Queen and her curse. Good always beats evil.

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Emma awoke in the inn and glanced over at the clock. Man, she had crashed. It was almost 12.

She got out of bed and went through her morning routine. Then she decided to head to the diner for some lunch.

When she had gotten in yesterday, the older woman up front had lifted her eyebrows and stared over her glasses at her but said nothing as she checked her in. When she asked how long she'd be staying, Emma had been stumped. She finally muttered something about it being open-ended but left it at that.

She had no idea how long she'd end up here. Regina sure was one tough nut to crack. She thought she was repressed. This woman made trying to open a Rottweiler's locked jaw seem easy compared to getting anything out of her. And yet all it did was make Emma yearn for more.

Emma knew she felt the same way that she did. So she figured her wanting to keep a distance had to do with the kid.

Now the Henry issue she completely understood. Emma just couldn't force herself to figure that one out. Watching the boy talk to and treat his Mother like garbage when she was the one who had taken him in reeled her. The fact that Regina allowed it made her hurt for her. But his insistence on turning her into his Mommy and Savior just made Emma recoil further from him. He sure didn't seem to understand the term coming on too strong at all. Emma wasn't sure how much more of the kid she could take.

This whole curse business had her thrown. Maybe Regina shouldn't have let the kid watch so many cartoons and read so many comic books. He obviously didn't have the type of system that could handle make-believe. Which is precisely why Emma didn't think her entertaining his notions was a good thing for him. In the long run it would just hurt him more.

Emma got to the diner and ordered herself a grilled cheese. It was her go to comfort food. She could eat one everyday and usually did.

After her meal Emma went out to explore the town. As she walked down the street she bumped into Zelena. "Oh hi," she greeted her a little shyly.

Zelena glanced over to her side at Emma. She used her hand to shield the sun from her eyes so that she could see her properly. "Oh hi. How are you this afternoon?" Zelena knew she'd run across her sooner than later. She was glad she had.

Emma put her hands in her pockets and nodded. "I'm -," then she stopped. She was about to just say she was good and leave it at that. But that wasn't how she was feeling. "I'm confused. Overwhelmed. Not really sure what I'm doing or why."

Zelena chuckled. She stood up from straightening out the sign in front of her business. The place was called Zee's. "Well if I just had a kid show up on my doorstep a month ago I'd say that's to be expected. Would you like to come inside?"

Emma had nowhere else to be so she shrugged her shoulders. "Really nice place you've got here," Emma glanced around at all of the tables, games and machines. "You must be the kids' favorite aunt." It seemed to be a fun center. There were ads for batting cages, a skating rink, paddle boats, bowling, miniature golf, bumper cars and other attractions for kids and families. The place was huge. It had at least 5 different levels, counting the basement, which for this town made it practically a skyscraper.

Zelena chuckled, "I'm their only Aunt." Zelena shrugged. "I like to have fun and I'm a big kid at heart. Sos my husband, by the way. Or so I'm told." Zelena led her over to a bar area. She poured her out a glass of sparkling grape juice.

Emma took a seat at the bar, "This is actually really nice. I would've loved something like this growing up."

"This is my baby," Zelena smiled proudly as she looked around her. She and Graham had just started talking about having their own when this situation with Henry sprang up. They weren't too sure now was a good time for a pregnancy. Maybe after the curse was broken and things had settled down.

Emma stared into her glass while she collected her thoughts. Then she looked up at Zelena, "What do you think is going on with Henry and Regina?"

Zelena poked out her bottom lip. "You mean as far as the fairy tale and curses and stuff?" At Emma's nod she continued, "Because of our childhood, Regina's a bit straight laced. And unfortunately she and Henry are very much alike. You've met Luka?" Emma nodded again. "Well, she's may be the spitting image of my sister on the outside. But Regina and Henry are basically just alike in almost every other way."

"My sister like things – a certain way. Her way of doing things is what helped her to survive our Mother. And like her, Henry has a particular way of doing things. And when those ways get challenged, neither one of them likes it very much and you see sides of them that you never have before."

"Why is he sure that she's the Evil Queen?"

"I'd guess from his point of view she would be. Henry's never known the other side. He doesn't know what it's like to be raised by someone who can't or doesn't love you. My sister did that. She swore she'd never be what our Mother was. And she is one of the best damned mother's in the world," Zelena stated emphatically.

Emma nodded. She had no qualms about that. She could see that the kids were being raised right. And the fear then relief on her face and in her eyes when Regina opened the door after Emma brought Henry home she knew had been 100% genuine. "He says that she's lying about everything."

Zelena had pulled out some cleaning products and had started to wipe down the surfaces around. Emma got up and began to help for nothing more than to give herself something to occupy her hands. Zelena gave her a grateful smile.

"I have no idea what 'everything' would consist of. My sister is one of the most honest people I know. She normally doesn't hold back," Zelena shook her head sadly.

Emma chuckled, "That I have noticed."

Zelena studied the woman closely. Then she nodded as if she'd found what she was looking for and approved. "And what are your intentions with my little sister?" Zelena emphasized the little part.

Emma furrowed her brow. She decided to just be honest, "I'm not sure. But there's something there," Emma bit into her lip. She stood up straight and faced Zelena, "I just know that I can't go on pretending that it doesn't exist. Waking up hating myself wasn't doing me any good so," she shrugged and left the rest open for interpretation.

Again Zelena looked at her with approval. Then she chuckled. "I think my sister has that affect on a lot of people." She held up her hand at Emma's offended look. "But it takes someone special to make her feel that way too," Zelena winked over at her.

Emma bounced on her toes. She tilted her head to the side and smirked over at Zelena, "Yeah, so um... any advice?"

Zelena laughed. "Something tells me that you don't need any advice Emma Swan."

Emma grinned at her and the two went back to cleaning. They chitchatted over nothing while Emma helped get the place set up for the afterschool crowd.

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Luka waved to her Uncle and walked into her Aunt's place. She headed for the bar knowing that her Aunt nor Mom would let her get away with socializing or playing while she had homework to do.

"Hey kid," Emma recognized her right away. The kid looked just like her Mom. She took the barstool next to hers.

Luka recognized Emma too. She smiled over at her, "Hi."

Emma peeked over her shoulder. "Math? That's brutal," she blew a raspberry then stuck her tongue out.

Luka smiled over at her. "I like math."

"Really kid?"

"I love school. I've skipped 2 grades already," Luka beamed at her proudly.

"Wow. You're a smart one. Like your Mom."

Luka nodded her smile growing bigger. Emma seemed alright. Too bad Henry was nothing like her. All he did was make everyone miserable lately.

As if she could read her thoughts, her next question was, "So –," Emma puckered her lips up, "how're things at home?"

Luka frowned as she threw Emma a sidelong glance, "If it wasn't for Henry everything would be great. Are you going to take him away?"

Emma was surprised. She wondered if that was what Regina was so upset at her about. She shook her head emphatically, "No kid. I would never do that. Your Mom seems to be really nice. I couldn't do that if I wanted to."

Luka stared at her a minute searching for how much truth was in her answer. Finally she nodded and went back to her homework.

"So, aside from Henry, everything else is fine?" Emma needed to assess how much of the situation was Henry and the problems he caused and how much was a genuine problem that she might need to pay attention to. She looked around, "Where is Henry anyway?"

"He's grounded. He has to work to pay back all the money he stole and he's not allowed any games until it's over."

Emma nodded, "sounds fair." The kid had stolen a credit card and then hopped a bus to another state. She would've ended up with way worse even in her best foster home.

Luka wasn't fooled. She knew some of what had been going on. She had overheard Emma's name numerous times in the past few weeks. "You like my Mom?"

Emma's cheeks burned, "huh?" She looked around the room that had suddenly grown warmer while pulling the top of her shirt away from her chest and using it to fan herself. She didn't know if this was something to talk about with the kid. "Umm…, well…," she stuttered.

"I'm not a baby. I know about gay rights and all," Luka could see this was about to be one of those times when grownups told you that they kept secrets all for your own good.

Emma still didn't think her Mom'd appreciate her inducting her daughter into gay culture so she changed the subject instead. "So… um… your house is really nice. It must be nice to have your own room. And it's just you, your Mom, and brother. Right?"

Luka pursed her lips and tilted her head to the side. Sounded to her like Emma was on a fishing expedition. If she wasn't going to give any information then she wasn't going to get any either. "Right," she turned back to her homework.

"You still at it my pretty?" Z came up behind her niece and gave her a kiss atop her head.

"Nope. I'm done. Time for fun," she threw her arms up in the air. She turned to Emma, "What do you want to do?"

Emma was surprised she was included. She pointed to her chest, "Me?" when she nodded she looked over at the activity board. "Well I used to love to skate. I bet I can beat you."

Emma and Luka ran off to get their skates. Then they took turns going around the rink while Emma tried showing Luka boogie dances. It was awesome. The two laughed and had fun until they were breathless. Then they stopped to grab a juice.

Zelena came up behind them. "It's time to get home honey. Go and grab your stuff." When Luka scampered off she turned to Emma, "Would you like to join us?"

Emma would love any chance to spend time with the Mayor. "I don't want to impose. I'm not sure so much of me in 24 hours helps my case with your sister."

"Nonsense. I'm inviting you. And it's just family dinner. You have to eat too right?"

Emma nodded with her mouth drawn in a tight line. "Right. Well, I think I should run to the inn and spruce up a bit."

Zelena waved her away. "Sure, sure. Dinner more than likely won't be ready anyway. I'm sure my sister's just barely started cooking. 30 minutes okay?"

"Sounds great." Emma hurriedly returned her skates before practically running over to the inn.

As she dressed, she thought over her day. She was in with the fam! That would make getting closer to Regina that much easier. And Regina couldn't blame her for accepting an invitation. I mean, they all needed to eat. Seemed perfectly acceptable that they'd all do it together.

Emma quickly dressed and threw on some makeup. She wasn't a heavy makeup person but she did know how to put herself together. She turned as she inspected herself in the mirror. The skinny jeans showed off some of her best assests. Her legs and bottom. While her to showed off her toned abs and arms. She grinned at herself before heading out the door. She knew she looked good!