The Returning

**Author's Note: I'm quite pleased with this chapter, although it is a short one. The next chapter is Emma's return to Regina, and to give that the weight and importance it deserves, this one really had to be a stand -alone. Hence, the shortness. I hope you enjoy it!**

The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn't angry enough.

Bede Jarrett

As Emma watched Turk carefully for any sign of trouble, she thought about what it was going to be like to get back to Regina. They had only been separated a short time, but Emma missed the feel of Regina's arms around her. 'I'm coming, Regina, do you hear me?' Emma thought. 'We're coming home. You said you would hear me. I'm coming home to you, Babe.'

For some time, the four of them made their way back to the ruins in silence. When Genesis stumbled, Emma called out to Callie to stop.

"We've been going for awhile, let's stop and take a break. Dig out some water, okay? Turk, sit down right where you are."

The big man scowled but did as he'd been told. Clearly, he wasn't much for strong-willed women telling him what to do. Emma flicked her attention to Callie and Gen sitting close to each other, heads bent in quiet conversation, before addressing her captive. "What the hell made you think you could kidnap a teenaged girl and get away with it?"

"Kids run off all the time, some of 'em aren't ever found. Didn't think it would matter one way or another." He snarled.

Emma rose from her crouch like she'd been shot and slammed the rifle-butt into his cheek. "You asshole! I've got half a mind to shoot your ass! Just shut up…"

"Whatcha gonna do, blondie, shoot me right here? In front of the kids?"

Emma got into Turk's face and settled on her knees, so close she was only inches away from him. Her lip curled in rage and disgust. "Both of them are more grown-up and better people than you could ever be." She ground out between clenched teeth. "I have done things you would never believe and I am not a stranger to death. I will not hesitate to shoot you between the eyes and leave your pasty white ass for the wolves to fight over, do you hear me?" The rolling of thunder punctuated Emma's words as she murderously glared at Turk. "I don't give a good goddamn if you make it back at all, so just shut the hell up!" Emma pushed herself to her feet and stalked off a short distance away, but still within view.

"What's with the sky?" Callie asked and pointed overhead.

Thick, angry, grey-green clouds were rolling in as if pushed by a hellish wind. 'Shit, 'Gina, I've done it again.' Emma thought. 'I've built a tornado! Now what do I do?'

Regina's dry chuckle came to mind as clearly as if they stood shoulder to shoulder. 'Gina, am I now, Miss Swan?'

Emma rolled her eyes and sighed. 'Babe...if you really can hear me, I need some help here.'

'Calm your breathing...picture the sky clear and blue and cloud-free...you need to be perfectly calm...the weather reflects what you feel...'

It took a few minutes, but soon the sky overhead was a tranquil, cloudless blue. Emma wondered if she was losing her mind, but after all that had happened in the past three years, she knew the truth was much more likely. They shared enough of a connection that communicating telepathically wasn't entirely out of the question for a former Evil Queen and the daughter of true love.

Stirling could see the four deputies waiting for him at the trailer. In the back of his mind, it galled him that he hadn't been the one to find Genesis. But he knew that what he wanted had never been a priority. If he had just been told...but that didn't matter now. There was no time for what-ifs, now it was time to go out there and let someone else be a hero. There would be time enough later for Genesis to hate him.

Callie heard the four-wheelers first and stopped to wait for the others. She hoped it was the Sheriff, and not some locals looking for fun. She was relieved they had found Gen, but she wanted this little adventure over. She wanted to get back to her house, hug her mother and sleep on something more comfortable than pine boughs. She watched her best friend step over a muddy patch and wondered how terrified she must have been after Turk found her.

"Call? You okay, you're looking at me weird..."

"Listen, you hear that, right?"

Genesis cocked her head a little. "Yeah...think it's the Sheriff?"

"I sure hope so."

"Stop there, Turk." Emma stood a little behind the wrestler, but off to the side so she could see everyone. "I'd say that's probably the cavalry."

They didn't wait long before she saw the line of ATV's weaving through the trees with Stirling in the lead. When he had drawn close enough, he raised his fist in the air to let the riders behind him know they were to stop. He dismounted and went back to speak with his men, who nodded and started to turn their bikes around. He made his way to the little group and smiled at Genesis.

"You all right, young lady?"

"Yes sir. Callie and Emma found me." Genesis made brief eye contact, but looked away quickly.

"Good work, Swan. Want to tell me how Turk came to join your little group?"

"I think that's Genesis' story to tell, Sheriff."

"I had a fight with my mother. I was just going to the ruins to cool off, but then, he found me..." Genesis took a couple of shallow breaths.

"You'll need to file a charge of kidnapping, Sheriff." Emma added when she saw Genesis' eyes tear up. "Aggravated assault too, from where he pushed her. After all, he did have a rifle pointed at her."

"That bitch hit me!" Turk hollered as he jerked his chin toward Emma.

Surprisingly, Genesis scoffed. "The gash on his forehead is where I hit him with a rock. His cheek...apparently he can't walk very well while cuffed."

"Is that right?" Stirling studied Callie and Emma's reactions.

Callie nodded and Emma shrugged and twisted her face into a wry smile.

"All right then. Deputy Harris!" Stirling called over his shoulder.

A young man came jogging up. "Yes sir?"

"Replace Sheriff Swan's cuffs with your own, take mine as well and cuff this low-life to the back of my four-wheeler. He'll ride with me."

It wasn't long before Emma was slipping her cuffs into a back pocket, and Turk was being led away.

"Can't walk well cuffed, eh?" Stirling asked of no one in particular.

"Apparently, he didn't think it would matter if she was ever found. Guess his conscience tripped him up." Emma replied as she held Stirling's gaze.

No one spoke into the growing silence. They all seemed to be waiting to see what Stirling would do.

Finally, he wiped his palms on his pants and seemed to come to a decision. "All right then, each of you will ride behind a deputy. Swan, turn over Turk's rifle to the man who won't have a rider. We'll do paperwork back at the command trailer." He turned to Genesis and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm glad you're safe and sound. I know your mother has been frantic." Then he turned and gave a sharp nod to Emma. "Let's head back."

TBC