Rather short update, but an update all the same. I would much appreciate feedback as to whether or not Graham is OOC.
"How do I put it back though? Maybe Doctor Whale... no, he doesn't remember. I really hope I don't need magic. Emma, are you even listening?"
Graham was undeterred by the eye roll he received as the blonde knocked back her second shot.
"Maybe if I swallow it..."
"Your digestive and circulatory systems aren't connected like that, dumbass."
"She speaks!" Graham set his heart on his desk for a moment and turned to Emma. "What's with you anyway? Trying to beat up your liver now?"
"I could have killed her, Graham. I might have killed another person. I just sat there on top of her and squeezed the life out of her." Emma poured another shot and downed it. "Some kind of irony, huh? Committing murder and then running off to get drunk in the Sheriff's Office?"
Graham declined the small glass Emma held out and instead took the bottle and placed it out of her reach. "You probably didn't kill her. Besides, even if you did, believe me when I say it would be no loss to society."
"That's not the point! It doesn't matter if I killed Stalin or Gandhi, I still killed a human being. What would Henry say if he knew his Hope or Saviour or whatever went around taking lives?"
"If it bothers you so much why don't you go check on her? She's probably at home licking her wounds. Try not to get in another fight."
"Really taking that Sheriff's badge seriously, aren't you?"
"I have somewhat more pressing matters!" Graham picked up his heart and waved it at Emma.
"Okay, whatever, get that out of my face!" After a moment's hesitation Emma stood and grabbed her jacket. "I'm going. Don't eat your heart."
"I'm not that stupid!" Graham called to her retreating form.
Emma stumbled as she made her way toward the cemetery. She knew it could take a while with her driving abilities hindered, so she had time to think.
For the first time she fully realized that Graham had a heart. Graham had waved a human, or humanoid, heart in her face. What weirded her out even more was that it had seemed to pulse as if it was actually functioning. Intellectually she tried to chalk it up to Graham's grip or some sort of mechanics, but the part of her that had made her parents superheroes or firemen when she was a kid entertained the notion that maybe, just maybe, Henry was right.
She shook her head, trying to physically clear away crazy thoughts. A sound made her stop cold as she neared the cemetery, but when a raccoon scampered across her path she continued.
When she reached the cemetery a cocktail of emotions swirled within her as her eyes fell to empty, bloody spot where Regina had lay. The optimist in her assured her that the mayor had gotten up and went home alive, but when she noticed a trail of blood her pessimistic voice berated her for killing her son's mother and leaving her outside for wild animals to carry off.
Emma followed the smudges and drops into the mausoleum. Her breath caught when she saw Regina's motionless form slumped against the coffin, but she exhaled when she noticed the bloody woman's quiet sobbing.
Emma crept slowly closer through the shadows, trying to avoid startling Regina. She froze, however, when she heard words.
"Daddy. Daddy, I'm sorry. I'm sorry she had to punish me, I'm sorry you had to watch. Do you still love me?"
Regina seemed to wait for a reply, and upon receiving none she became distraught. "Daddy? Please, I'll be good. Please, please don't leave me alone with her. Please Daddy, you don't have to go. I need you."
Emma stepped forward as Regina;s sobs intensified into coughs that sprayed the marble with flecks of blood. Gently she placed a hand on Regina's shoulder.
"Mother! I was just... Please mother, I didn't... I won't... Mother please, I'll be good!" Pleas came rushing out as Regina froze in Emma's grip.
Emma felt another pang in a night full of guilt and tried to calm the mayor's hysterics. "Regina, it's okay. It's just me. I'm not your mom. Please, just calm down before you hurt yourself. Regina, shh, it's okay."
Regina stilled suddenly and looked up at Emma with wide eyes full of love and trust that scared the blonde.
"Daniel?"
