DISCLAIMER:: do not own

A/N:: glad that everyone's grasped that emma flip flops between worlds. it'll be explained better in the next chapter and the ones following that. same goes for finding out what happened to snow in fairytale land. i hope everyone continues to read and enjoy this story, i've been working exceptionally hard on this. that being said, enjoy and review.

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-Chapter 3: As You Invade My Heart-

Emma woke to a knock on the door. She raised her sleepy head from the pillow, her eyes blinking to adjust to the light streaming into the room from the window. She stretched out her limbs like a cat waking from a fitful nap. She sat up, throwing her bare legs over the edge of the bed. Now where had she put her pants? "It'll be just a minute."

"Miss Swan, you will open the door this instant!"

All thoughts of her pants vanished as the sound of the mayor's voice came through the door. What if Regina remembered her other self too? Henry wouldn't because he didn't exist in the fairytale world. Miss Blanchard might not because Snow White no longer did either, but Regina was in both. Did she remember Emma waking her up? Is that why she sounded so angry? She shot to the door, pulling it open to reveal an infuriated looking Regina.

"Hello, Madam Mayor."

The woman ignored the greeting and immediately pushed past her and into the room, her head twisting from side to side, searching. "Where is he?"

"Where's who?" Emma raised an eyebrow. Last she'd checked, she hadn't brought a bedfellow back to the room last night.

Regina leveled her with a glare. "Where is my son, Miss Swan?"

Emma glanced at the small digital clock on the bedside table. "It's 8:47; I'd assume he's in school or does it start later in the morning here?"

Regina looked at her as if she were insufferably stupid. "Miss Blanchard called my office; Henry is not there."

Emma nodded, the last dregs of sleepiness departing from her brain as she took in the genuine worry behind the anger in Regina's eyes. "Hey, it's okay. I'm sure he's fine. He had a big day yesterday, we all did. I'm sure he's just playing hookie with some of his friends."

"Henry doesn't really have friends."

Emma frowned. She couldn't really argue that all kids have friends. She herself hadn't had many. She had only had the nursemaids and castle servants in the Enchanted Forest and here she'd only ever had fleeting connections with the other group home kids. "I can see where he gets it from."

Regina looked as if she'd been slapped. She narrowed her eyes. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

Emma closed her eyes, realizing how that could have been misconstrued. "I didn't mean that like it sounded. I was talking about me. I don't… I didn't have many friends when I was his age either."

"With your impressive personality and your scintillating whit? Shocker."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Was that a joke? I wasn't aware statues were capable of humour."

Something akin to pleasure flashed briefly through brown eyes, the recognition of a worthy opponent. She crossed her arms, a sickly sweet smile gracing her features. She surveyed Emma with new eyes, tracing her features with an almost carnivorous intent. As they traveled south, the predatory gleam in her eyes only seemed to increase. Finally they slid to the red lace that was the only thing covering any part of the blonde's bottom half. A smirk crossed her face.

Emma shifted under the scrutiny, silently thanking whatever gods may be out there that she'd worn underwear that at least attempted to cover her ass.

Regina circled her slowly, a predator surveying her prey. Emma felt the brunette's eyes burning into her ass, but she forced herself to stay still during the probing observation.

"Is this how you always answer the door Miss Swan? Really, it's quite deplorable." Regina's tone said the exact opposite of her words. The hairs on the back of Emma's neck stood at attention. When Regina came back around full circle and stood before her once more though, whatever might have been in the woman's eyes was gone. "If you'll excuse me Miss Swan, I have matters to attend to regarding my son."

"I can help find him." Emma stepped forward. "It is kinda what I do."

Regina's false smile emerged once more. "Forgive me for having my doubts about your abilities dear, though I must say, they're hardly unfounded considering you couldn't even manage to find your pants before answering the door." Regina waved her offer off dismissively. "Besides, Miss Swan, you really should be heading out if you want to make decent time."

Emma frowned. Defiant, she crossed her arms across her chest. "Actually, I'm sticking around for a while."

Regina's entire body went rigid as if someone had replaced her spine with a metal bar, her hand freezing in a clawlike grasp around the doorknob. "I hardly see why that's necessary Miss Swan."

Emma stared at the mayor's back, willing her to turn around, to show the blonde a glimpse of the humanity her fairytale counterpart had just a short while ago. But when she finally did turn around, there was only endless darkness in her eyes. The sight made Emma flinch.

"I was looking for a new place to live anyway; Storybrooke is as good a place as any."

"I caution you Miss Swan, this town is not very accommodating to outsiders."

Emma bristled. "This town? Are you sure you're not referring to yourself?"

Regina's eyes narrowed. "I can assure you, I'm not someone you want to cross."

Emma stepped toe to toe with the brunette. "I know a lot more about you than you might think Madam Mayor."

"You know nothing about me. Leave town Miss Swan. Forget Henry. Forget Storybrooke. I'm warning you. You have no idea what I'm capable of." She turned and yanked the door open. She stormed out of the room and down the stairs.

"We'll see about that, Your Highness." Emma said to herself as she closed the door.

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Emma stood outside the classroom door, waiting for the recess bell to sound. In the room, through the small window in the door, she could see an empty desk. Emma was amazed at how acutely she felt Henry's absence and wondered briefly if the mayor was feeling similar pangs of unease. Before she could dwell on it too much, the ringing filled the hall and Emma stepped out of the way just in time for the door to burst open and kids to come running out. She let them pass and then slipped in the door.

Miss Blanchard's back was to the door as she erased some notes on the whiteboard.

Emma cleared her throat and the whiteboard eraser fell from the schoolteacher's hand as she jumped in surprise. She retrieved it, setting it down on the dry erase tray before turning to face Emma. The blonde smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"You're the woman from the mayor's house last night, the one who brought Henry home."

Emma nodded. "I'm Emma Swan, Henry's birth mother."

Miss Blanchard didn't seem surprised by the news but Emma reminded herself that, according to Henry's book, the residents were trapped here, they would have known Henry wasn't Regina's biological son.

"Henry's not in school today."

Emma nodded. "I know. I got an unexpected visit this morning from the mayor informing me of that."

Miss Blanchard cringed. "Mayor Mills can come on a bit strong at times but she's always been… protective when it comes to Henry. She means well, but sometimes he gets a little lonely."

"Is that why you gave him the book?" Emma perched on a desk in the front row.

Miss Blanchard nodded. "I've often found solace in fairytales and I thought maybe it might give him an escape. At the time I never realized how much of an escape it would turn out to be." She frowned, her guilt evident. "Mayor Mills and her son had such a complicated relationship before and I'm afraid, by giving Henry the book, I've just made it worse. He thinks she's the…" The woman trailed off as if she still couldn't believe it.

"Evil Queen?"

Miss Blanchard nodded.

"Miss Blanchard…"

"Please, call me Mary Margaret, or just Mary."

"Mary… you spend more time with my son than most… do you have any idea where he might be?"

Mary glanced around as if looking for someone who might overhear top secret information. Then she leaned conspiratorially across the front desk. "Have you tried his castle?"

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Emma parked in the deserted parking lot. This was obviously the forgotten part of town. The pavement of the small ten spot lot was cracked from non-use. There were weeds growing up from the cracks. A pathway led away from the lot, weaving through a sandy wasteland over to the 'castle'.

She exited the car, clutching the book to her chest. She could just make his hunched form out as she started up the pathway towards the forgotten playground.

"Hey kid."

Henry looked up, a smile on his face. "You're still here!"

Emma chuckled. "I couldn't really leave without returning your book."

His face fell a little. "So you are leaving?"

Emma eyed the castle, noting that despite being old, the wood slightly eroded from the salty air coming off the ocean, it did appear to be at least somewhat structurally sound. She jumped up and sat next to him. "I was actually hoping to stick around for a while."

"Really?"

Her heart ached at the hope in his eyes. Regina may have not done anything to qualify her as an unfit mother, but the need for affection, for attention and love that she saw in his eyes… in her eyes, convinced her that the mayor had been sparse at best with how much tenderness she'd shown him. "Yea kid, really."

Henry looked at the book sitting in her lap. "Did you read it?"

Emma ran a hand over the cover. "I did."

"And?" Henry seemed to thrum with excitement. "I'm right, aren't I?"

Emma chuckled and ruffled his hair. "It's a book Henry. I find the truth often gets… lost in translation."

Henry's excitement left in one fell swoop. "You don't believe me either?"

Emma shook her head, for the second time that day realizing how her words could be taken wrong. "I never said that. I just think that maybe the book exaggerates a few points a bit."

"So you do believe?"

Emma smiled. "Yea I believe."

Henry threw his arms around her neck. "I knew you would. You're the saviour after all."

She patted his back affectionately. She'd never admit it out loud but she'd always prayed for this moment, for a time when she could be with the son she'd been forced to give up. Tears stung the back of her eyes but she held back, unwilling to let them fall. She knew in that moment that she'd do whatever it took to be the saviour he needed her to be.

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As they walked up the pathway, hand in hand, the front door burst open. Regina came out, racing to meet them on the pathway, crouching in front of Henry. The boy met her relieved gaze with one of cold indifference and Emma's heart broke a little for the woman. It was amazing to her how backwards this was. His coldness should be directed at her, the mother who'd abandoned him before he'd even known her. Regina should be the one who received his conspiratorial grins and sparkling gazes. She was the one who had cared for and loved him his whole life and yet Emma was the one benefiting from all her efforts. Even Emma saw how wrong this was, how unfair.

"I have homework." With a quick glance at Emma he pushed past Regina and into the house.

Regina's gaze followed Henry until he disappeared inside and then flew to Emma, throwing wordless accusations like knives.

"I… We stopped by the school and got all his classwork for the day."

"I suppose you're expecting a thank you?" Regina's sneer was dripping with disdain.

"No." Emma shrugged. "It would be nice, but I know gratitude doesn't come easily to you."

Regina bristled. "How many times must I remind you Miss Swan? You know nothing about me."

Emma shrugged once more. "You're wrong. I know you question kindness and you believe there is always ulterior motives when someone tries to be nice to you. I know you anticipate betrayal around every corner because you've been burned in the past. And I know that because of all that, you've felt alone for so long that you've forgotten how it feels to be a part of the world around you."

"Are you quite finished?" Regina's tone was infused with venom, but Emma noticed a slight tremble in the woman's clenched fists and she knew it wasn't from anger.

"For now. I'm a patient woman and I have plenty of time." Emma nodded. "Getting rid of me is not going to be that easy Regina. I can assure you." She turned and headed back to her car, knowing Regina's paranoia would slowly eat at her all night.

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As she trudged tiredly up the walkway towards the front porch of the bed and breakfast, lost in thought, she collided with something soft but solid. Before she could topple backwards, a firm hand grasped her arm and kept her steady.

"Thanks, I should have watch…" She trailed off as she looked up at the person she'd crashed into.

"It's alright." Mary smiled at her. "I'm actually glad I ran into you. I came by to visit you but Granny said you hadn't been in since this afternoon."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "You came to see me?"

Mary nodded. "I heard that you're sticking around town, despite the mayor's wishes."

Emma pursed her lips. "Word seems to travel fast around here."

Mary shrugged sheepishly. "It's a small town. Nothing much happens here, so when a stranger comes to town, it's a big deal."

Emma gave a rueful grin. "I've gathered."

"Mayor Mills is hard to get around; she's relentless when it comes to things she wants. If she wants you to leave Storybrooke, she'll do everything in her power to ensure that happens."

Emma frowned. "Thanks for the warning but Storybrooke's illustrious mayor doesn't terrify me."

"I know." Mary gave her a small smile of admiration. "That's what I came to discuss with you. Mayor Mills can, and will, threaten the owners of the two apartment complexes in Storybrooke with building code violations to get them to refuse to rent to you. But she can't stop you from staying with someone else. So, if you're agreeable to it, I'd like to offer you the spare bedroom at my place. It's small, but I have a feeling you don't keep many things close."

"I… I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted to give you an option and let you know that… you have a friend here." Mary smiled. "Goodnight Emma." The schoolteacher hurried off, leaving an ache in Emma's heart, reminders of a void that had been there for quite some time. Now, more than ever, she knew she was meant to stay in Storybrooke, for Henry, for Regina, and for the mother she'd already lost once.