Chapter 9 The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable

Word Count 1273

"I think I've found it Emma." James cried happily. He came running from the forest up to Emma and Snow who sat on a blanket. "I've looked high and low far and wide and I think I've finally found the spot you desire."

Snow giggled placing her arm around Emma. "Well go on then dear don't keep your father waiting!"

Emma tried to mask her frown. It had been the following day since Jefferson had decided it would be best for her to stay out of Storybrooke and she couldn't help but think that was the place she wanted to be most. Emma, Snow and James had gone into the woods with her horse which she had now chosen to name Warrior. She chose it because it described herself and she knew that as long as the horse was with her she would be brave. "Where is it father?" She feigned excitement.

"This way!" He led her through the forest towards a river. "This must be it." A waterfall cascaded slowly into the river beneath, a pathway led behind it and he pulled her below it to watch as the waterfall.

Emma's face frowned slowly as she lifted her hands to touch the wall of water, "I'm sorry father but this isn't it." The waterfall was beautiful but it wasn't Storybrooke. As much as Emma wanted to forget that town she couldn't. Nothing would compare to the real thing.

The disappointment on his face couldn't be masked, "I was sure I had found it." He admitted slapping the fall of water childlike.

"That's okay dad." Emma said taking his hand and leading him back through the woods, "I don't think I'll ever find that place again." Though she knew someday she would and she wanted that day to be tomorrow more than anything.

4 years later

An adult in most places but not here, Emma was 18. As much as she had wanted to she hadn't returned to Storybrooke since the day Jefferson has asked her not to return. Cleo had suggested maybe she should return to Storybrooke but Emma couldn't find it in her heart to do so. She loved it there but she couldn't set herself up to have her heart broken because she'd have to leave.

Emma continued to train and fight but the want of those friends remained deep inside of her. With the freedom of her horse she relished in rides through the forest. The wind blowing through her hair, it felt like freedom; something she didn't feel that she had.

A stuffed dummy on a stick was propped outside of Emma's home and she constantly sparred with it to release frustration. She never realized how angry should become but all of these secrets, the lack of a true life, it all built up inside of her and the means of release were through combat. Emma chopped her hand at the neck of the dummy quickly following with one to the stomach. She then squared her hands off feinting right, she pulled the dagger from her belt and mimicked swipes against the chest.

"Good form." James said.

Emma jumped startled but turned to face her father, "You scared me."

He uncrossed his arms and moved towards her, "How come there is so much anger in your fight Emma? Are you still thinking of your mystery place?"

Even though Emma had asked him not to he had still searched high and low for her happy place. "I try to push it from my mind but I just can't."

"I know." He said turning from her, "I felt the same way when I found Storybrooke."

Her eyes grew wide and quickly she turned towards her father, "I don't know what you're talking about."

He laughed and faced her, "Emma. Lying about this is too late."

She sighed and sheathed her dagger, "How did you find out?"

He pulled her towards him, "A little while ago." He admitted, "I kept searching for this land and I just couldn't find anything of significance, nothing to capture your heart." He brushed the hair behind Emma's ear, "I tried to think of what area would capture my heart most and all I could think of was Storybrooke. I thought back to the day your mother and I had an argument about Storybrooke, it was the first day you had been home late. I don't know I slowly put together the pieces and I realized you had to have been there."

"Don't tell Mom. You can't she'd be furious."

"She would." He agreed. "Which is why I've chosen to keep it a secret."

"You have?"

James nodded, "I saw how happy you were. There was something about that town that brought this excitement out of you. Now, I can't keep it a secret for long. A week, or two. Which means you need to get as much out of that town as you can."

Emma smiled and wrapped her arms tight around her father, "You don't know what this means to me."

"I think I do." He stated, "I have dreamt of going there since the day I stumbled upon it. I miss my friends and would do anything I could to save them from their curse." He sighed and pulled his daughter tighter, "However that isn't my job and instead that burden has been placed on your shoulders. You've stayed away from there far too long Emma. It's time you return and bring hope to that town."

"Hope?" She questioned. "That sounds a little more than a friendly visit."

"I've got this struggle inside of me but I think I've decided. 10 more years is far too long to wait. The prophecy said on your 28th birthday… but maybe it's wrong."

"It's fated. How could fate be wrong?"

"It isn't wrong." He admitted, "I just think we can make it come sooner."

Emma frowned, "Listen, there is something else you should know. When I went there I talked to people but there are only a few who know their true identities. Blue and Jefferson are aware of the curse and my existence."

"I'm familiar with Blue but not Jefferson. Who is he?"

"He's a traveler. Regina trapped him in Wonderland and he was left without his family. In Storybrooke he is forced to gaze upon his daughter but he can't ever speak with her."

"That's horrible." James said. "Now is the time to return to them. Bring them the hope that they need."

Emma nodded, "And what of Regina? She's adopted a son called Henry and he knows all about this world as well. He has a book filled with stories about you and mom, Red and even his own mother."

"Then I think this is what will change fate." James grinned, "A son is what Regina needs." He laughed and released his embrace around his daughter, "I think this is how the tables turn Emma." Emma couldn't help but laugh with him. "Go to Storybrooke Emma, you are the savior, now go and do some saving."

With Cleo trailing behind her Emma had reached the town of Storybrooke once again. She gleefully walked across the border and into the town. As she came upon Jefferson's house she knocked fervently but no one answered. Emma knew something was wrong. Jefferson had never left his house. Without another moment's hesitation she ran hard and fast into the square of Storybrooke.

She came to a slow as she saw Jefferson and Blue tied to a post. "Just who I was waiting for." Regina laughed. "Now correct me if I'm wrong but you must be the savior."

A/N Sorry this took so long but I've recently finished another one of my stories so will have more time to work on this one. Enjoy and expect another chapter soon.