SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE!

DON'T OWN IT.

Emma sat on the edge of the tub as she heard Snow and James go by. Then, once she was sure they were retired for the night, she carefully padded down the hall and outside. She was still in her clothes. Shivering in the crisp night air, she pulled her red jacket closer to her. She picked up her pace, not even sure where she was going. After what felt like an hour of running through endless amounts of trees, she found herself in what only seemed denser forest. She knew she hadn't run straight.

"This is just great." She sat on a log. "I never thought my demise would be getting lost in a forest and getting hypothermia."

"You lost, Sister?" Grumpy asked. She jumped.

"Jesus, Leroy…"

"It's Grumpy." He said.

"Of course." She offered him a smile that didn't look convincing. "No, I'm not lost. Just out for a run."

"You're almost two miles away from the castle." He said as he took a seat beside her.

"A long run."

"I guess the question is, what are you running from?" After he took a long swig of vodka, he offered her some. She eyed it then shook her head.

"It's hard to run when you're intoxicated."

"A little bit won't hurt. Come on, Sister." He gave her a cheeky grin.

"No." She played with a twig for a moment. "Once I start, I don't think I'll be able to stop."

"So you are running from something."

"What does it matter to you?" She asked, scrutinizing him, trying to find some ulterior motive for his kindness but couldn't find one.

"God we knows we spent many a night at the bar in Storybrooke, trying to drown our sorrows."

"I see you still are." Why won't he just go away?

"I voted for you in the election for Sheriff." He said.

"Most people did." She shrugged.

"Why do you think?"

"Because Gold is a manipulative ass."

"Nah." He downed another little bit.

"You changed the subject. What's wrong with you?" She asked.

"True love." He said after a moment.

"You?" Emma almost laughed.

"Yeah. Her name's Nova."

"Wait, like the fairy?"

"She is a fairy."

"Maybe I can help." She offered.

"Only after you tell me what you're running from." Grumpy gave her a toothy grin.

"Snow and James are pregnant." She sighed.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"It is." She put on a fake smile. "Now let's go find Nova."

"Where is she?" Snow paced in front of the window.

"She probably took a walk." Graham said

"She was really upset last night. What did she say to you after she went back to bed?"

"I fell asleep." Graham looked down. "Last I remember she went down to talk to you guys. I don't think she ever went back to bed. Usually I hear her."

"It's not your fault." James recognized the look instantly. "I bet she's lost."

"We need to teach her how to use birds." Snow said, grabbing her shoes.

"She's more likely to insist we get cell phones." Graham smiled.

"We'll go find her. You stay here with Henry. He should be up soon." James said. Graham opened his mouth to protest, wanting to go with them, but shut it. It was their kingdom, so they knew it.

"Bye." Snow gave a small wave as they headed out the door. Fifteen minutes later, Henry came down the stairs, and yawned.

"Morning." He said.

"Hey." Graham said. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Waffles." Henry frowned, glancing around the kitchen. "Where is everyone?"

"They're uh… In the woods, looking for someone." Well, it wasn't a lie. Graham didn't want to worry the boy.

"When will they be back?"

"Soon, I'm sure."

"I want to make the waffles. Mom doesn't usually let me cook. Regina never did, either. I guess they think I'll burn the castle down."

"Henry, if Emma doesn't let you, I don't want to go against her wishes."

"You're my dad. You have a say in what I do." He grabbed the waffle press from the cabinet and turned the stove on. Graham smiled.

"It'll be our little secret."

OUATOUATOUATOUATOUATOUATOUAT

"Emma!" James yelled for what felt like the hundredth time. Then he whistled.

"She's not a dog, Charming." Snow snapped.

"Where do you think she went?"

"She could be anywhere." She said. Just then, a loud rustling came from the brush followed by a rather loud 'shit'.

"I think we found her." James said as he pulled back a tree to reveal Emma on the ground.

"Emma?"

"Hi." She smiled from her low vantage point. James pulled her up.

"What were you doing down there?" He asked.

"I tripped."

"We heard." Snow gave her a stern look. "What were you thinking going off without telling anyone? You got lost."

"I was helping Grumpy." She defended, blowing a lock of blonde hair from her face. They finally took in her appearance. She had several dirt smudges on her face, her hair had leaves and twigs in it, and her jeans were stained.

"With what?"

"Finding Nova." She made a face as she clomped over a log. "I hate jungles."

"Emma, honey, this is hardly a jungle." Snow said sweetly with a hint of sarcasm.

"We were all so worried." James said.

"Well, I'm fine. I would've been back soon." She looked at Snow's stomach.

"You're miles from the castle." The brunette shot her an amused look.

"I would've been fine." She started walking again.

"Wrong direction." Emma turned and stomped the other way.

"I was just testing you." James chuckled, watching his girls.

"Next time take a map." He said.

"GPS would be easier." She said, ducking under a branch.

"Maps are more dependable. Take a left."

"Shouldn't there be road signs or something? All trees look the same."

"We will ask Doc about that. It took you twelve hours to find Nova?" Snow said.

"How'd you know I was looking for Nova?"

"Finding people is what you do. Besides, it's no secret that she and Grumpy have true love."

"I see that Henry's IQ doesn't come from me." She stopped at a fork. "Left again?"

"Right, actually." James said.

"Good." She started walking.

"No, I meant take a right." He said. Emma sighed in frustration.

"You'll get the hang of it." Snow said.

"I think Henry knows his way around here better than me." She grumbled. "How much longer?"

"An hour or so."

"Oh God." She said. "Somebody else better go in front of me." She stepped aside so James could take the lead.

"Did you find her?" Snow asked.

"Yeah. They barely waited for me to get to the tree line before making out."

"So how long were you wandering for?"

"I don't know." Emma answered with annoyance. "But I was close."

"Yes you were." James' smile could almost be heard.

It was past noon when the trio finally stumbled through the door.

"Mom!" Henry threw himself at her. "I was getting really worried."

"We're fine." She said.

"I'm sorry, Emma, I should've-" Graham was cut off by a kiss.

"If I wanted anybody to know I would've left a note. That includes you." She looked around the kitchen, noting the stool by the cabinets. "Henry, did you make waffles?"

"Yeah."

"Since the place isn't in ashes maybe Snow could teach you some stuff." She hung her coat up.

"I would love to." Snow said, and Henry grinned.

"How's Regina?"

"Resting comfortably." Graham answered.

"Yippee." Emma said through grit teeth, obviously still harboring some dislike for the woman. Then she looked at James' shirt. "I recognize that." She walked closer, and could see the faint red marks. "I think you wore that when I was born."

"I did." James said. "It was lucky then. We had no idea where you were this morning." He said, not needing to say anything else.

"I promise I'll be more careful." She said, her voice soft. It was moments like these when Graham only fell more in love with the woman he was about to spend the rest of his life with.