There were soft murmurs buzzing through Granny's when Emma walked inside. Granny was the first to notice her and pointed her to walk towards her. Emma just sighed and sauntered towards the bar. She dragged herself in her seat and looked unamused in front of her. She didn't have a restful sleep, rather restless. She kept thinking about, the girl… Grace. There hasn't been a single moment as of yet when she hadn't thought about her. She was distracted in her train of thoughts when she noticed someone was snapping their fingers in front of her face. She looked up and saw Granny grinning a little at her, maybe also a bit concerned.
'Huh?' Emma asked nonchalantly and took her arms underneath her face away and tried to sit up more straight. She was slacking her shoulders while she was trying to get rid of that teenage behavior. She wanted to be a good mother, an example.
'I see you could use your hot cocoa with cinnamon… I was also very curious what the little sprout's intentions in my Inn are?' Granny asked her in a whisper. Not to get the rest of the diner out of their usual daily routine.
'Yes please. And I actually don't know. But we have to keep an eye on her for sure. She can't know anything about this town. And if she does, we have to be careful.' Emma said while watching Granny make her Hot cocoa. Suddenly the bell chimed and Emma turned around to watch Regina walking in. Regina saw Emma and immediately smiled. She's been thinking about the Blonde ever since she walked away last night. Her mind hasn't stopped lingering for a while to the certain blonde.
'Goodmorning… Emma' Regina said while sitting beside Emma on the bar. Emma nodded and took a sip from the hot cocoa Granny put in front of her. Regina inspected Emma for a while and then looked curious. She first eyed Granny who pointed that Emma may have some news for her. Without even the need to ask Emma began to speak silently, only so that the rest of the diner wouldn't hear them.
'Yesterday, when I walked home. I stumbled upon a 18-year old girl. She's from outside of our town. Her name's Grace and I still know very little about her. But we have to keep an eye on her. She might not know about this town and if she does we need to find out why. So you should keep your guard on. She's crashing at Granny's for a while.' Emma said while nodding her head in the direction of the Inn. Regina just stared in front of her, trying to pull her thoughts on this matter.
'I find it very suspicious. This town is surrounded by miles of forest. She can't just have walked to this town on her own. That's at least a 2 day walk' Regina said while plastering her stern regal look upon Emma.
'Well from what I've heard, she was touring with a vacation company. And while they were on a picnic she told the leader she was going to take a walk and inspect the rivers. When she returned the bus was gone. She told me she had been stranded and walked further to find some help. That's what I've heard from her so far.' Emma pulled up her shoulders and took another sip from her cocoa. She was less tense than Regina. She'd been thinking about the girl for a while and figured stressing wouldn't do her any good. But Regina just heard the news and has of yet to consume the information. Emma figured Regina was also very suspicious. Before they could argue about it again the bell chimed again. And this time the person in question walked through the door. Emma immediately sought eye-contact with the girl whom grimaced as she was aware that Emma surveyed her again.
Grace walked in with a brief confused and worried look on her face. She quickly masked it with her cold green eyes. Emma swallowed loudly enough for Regina to hear it and turned around to see what Emma was so worried about. With a swift turn of her eyes she came eye in eye with the girl, Grace. Grace abruptly stood still and watched her up and down. But it was barely a brief second and it wouldn't actually be seen by others. But, Emma and Regina definitely saw the change. Certainly Regina, since she was the cause of her sudden ministration. Suddenly the girl walked straightened towards Regina and seated next to her. Emma turned her seat and poked out in front to survey the girl with utter interest. Regina did a thing with her eyebrow and just pursed her lips in disbelief. The girl was timid and shy but somehow she held a certain modesty and ignorance. It felt so familiar but Regina couldn't really put her fingers on it. Regina looked at Emma, who just huffed and took another sip of her drink. Consuming the liquid while letting the tension leave her body again. Regina on the other hand was quite up for a challenge and waited for Granny to take her order and that from the girl. When Granny took Regina's order she went to the girls.
'Well darling, what would you like? Maybe if you'd like I can advise you on taking our delicious pancakes? They're certainly loved here.' Granny asked the girl. While Grace took some time to overthink her choices Regina did and up and down discretion of the girls appearance. She actually looked very decent. She even wore a Guess branded scarf. Who would take that with them on a tour? Certainly not Regina, someone who had a sense of fashion would know this would do the material no good. Regina just crossed her arms over each other and did the brow thing again.
'Well I'd like some apple pie actually, if you have those I'd be delighted to consume those. I've lost my appetite I guess. I'm not much of an eater.' The girl confessed and took in the surroundings. Granny nodded and went straight to the kitchen. Then the girl turned her head again and smiled at the two women.
'Hi, I haven't formally introduced myself. My name's Grace Carter. I'm from New York.' Grace said while offering her hand to Regina. Regina just smiled back and took the offered hand.
'Well since you implied. My name's Regina Mills. I'm the mayor of this town. I heard from the sheriff you made some trouble already, should I be worried dear?' Regina smiled at the girl and laughed a little just to ease the tension from both sides. Grace just smiled a little annoyed and took back her hand after the handshake.
'Yes well, if the dear sheriff wouldn't have pushed me to write a statement down in the middle of the night. I wouldn't have been so much trouble. After all, I've had a rough day yesterday. I was almost certain she would push me in jail, I really did nothing wrong other than coming for help.' The girl implied and eyed Emma with an unamused and sarcastic look. She then eyed Regina again and turned around when Granny came with her coffee and took a sip of it. Regina turned around and looked at Emma in utter disbelief. She then mouthed a 'What did you do?!' to Emma with an angry stare. And Emma in defense pulled her hands up and mouthed a 'I'm sorry' in her direction. Regina just rolled her eyes and couldn't even believe Emma was a bail bonder a few years back with the lack of keeping her cool. She just huffed and took the matter in her own hands. She turned around again just in time to see Grace looking at her again.
'I'm sorry to hear she didn't treat you right. We just have had some problems with previous people like you who once come into our quiet town. And as a sheriff, she has some trust issues for newcomers. Don't take it the hard way dear, it's just in her nature.' Regina eased the tension while sipping at her own coffee. Emma just eyed her with and unamused look but at the other hand was quite proud of Regina for coming up with a cover story so quickly. Grace just smiled sarcastically at her and sipped of her coffee again. There was a silence between the three and Emma was beginning to become nervous again. When she was about to speak Grace straightened herself and looked at Emma.
'I was actually wondering if you'd mind if I stayed here a little longer. My phone crashed and I can't get my service provider to activate. Once I get service I'll call the tour to reassure me a ride back while I sue them with my complaints.' Grace asked nicely while she pleadingly eyed Regina and Emma both. Emma gulped first and looked at what Regina was thinking.
'Well I don't mind you staying here. But why would you call the Touring-company when you can ask your parents to come get you?' Regina questioned the girl politely while brushing her hair past her ear. That's when Grace sat up more straight and glazed her eyes with a stone mirror. Her emotions entirely shielded from both the women. She looked maddening and then took a deep breath
'… it's would be more helpful yes. But I would say I haven't had any parental example for the past 10 years. Now If I had them in my life it would be easier indeed.' Grace said and turned around quite struck with the memories she just endured. Emma and Regina looked down shamefully and Emma stood up immediately and let her hand rest on Grace's shoulders whom turned around with the contact. Emma looked sympathetic at her and smiled genuine.
'I'm sorry. It was never our intention to hurt you in that way. Our apologies, we were just trying to help you out.' Emma said while trying to comfort the girl. The girl brushed Emma's hand from her shoulders and immediately replied.
'it's okay you didn't know. How could you know, I mean. But I can handle myself quite well. And I don't need my parents to prove that. I just need some time… ' She said while looking at Emma's deep and emotional stare. Emma felt sorry for her. She knew exactly how the girl must feel since she was her mostly her whole life. Grace just sighed and looked up again. She eyed Emma again and then turned her eyes annoyed.
'Will you stop looking at me like that. Stop feeling sorry and stop pitying me. I've had enough people treating me with gloves and warm pillows. I'm having enough of it, and I don't want to be treated like someone who needs it. I'm fine, really' Grace muttered loudly at the two women while toying with her jacket and taking another sip of her coffee. She then eyed the two again and just turned around. Ignoring them for a moment and enjoying her coffee a little bit more. Emma was about to say something when the bell chimed again for the third time. And this time it was Henry and her parents. She smiled at Henry whom stood beside her parents. Henry saw Emma and walked towards her. Regina sat more straighter and prepared herself for another rush this day, facing her son.
'Goodmorning kid' Emma said while returning Henry's hug and then she ruffled his hair. Henry looked up to Regina who insinuated her hand and Henry took it gladly. Regina appreciated the handshake and smiled at Snow and David whom nodded back at her. Henry than looked past Emma and eyed the girl. Grace on the other hand was frozen in her position. Her cup in one hand and her hand slightly touching her lips. She was staring at Henry with utter disbelief and it almost looked like she knew him, from Emma's point of view. Henry walked up towards Grace and outstretched his hand.
'Hi, my name's Henry. What's yours?' Henry asked politely. David and Snow were now aware of the newcomer and were quite struck. Both frozen in place Snow glanced at Regina and Emma asking for an explanation. But she could wait a while because both the women were observing Grace's behavior. Grace was still a little frozen in her position but quickly became aware of the eyes on her. She outstretched her hand too and took the handshake from Henry.
'The name's Grace Carter. Nice to meet you' Grace smiled genuine. She then set her cup down and fumbled with her jacket. She shook it more straight and then coughed. She stood up and looked around nervously. She saw the women were looking at her and also saw the two elder people standing beside Henry. But besides that point she saw the doubt in both the women's eyes. She was more nervous about Emma's interest however. She then looked between Regina and Henry.
'I'm sorry. You need to excuse me for a while. I remember I left something in my room.' And she rushed herself from her seat but accidently pushed her cup to the ground which chipped into a million pieces. Without another word and face down to the ground she hurried out of the diner, leaving everyone with mouth agape and henry a little confused. Henry shrugged and took Grace's seat.
'Did I say something wrong?' Henry asked the grown-ups. Regina just nodded a no and looked pointy at Emma who nodded at her too.
'No kid, you didn't. I guess she stood up with her left foot.' Emma said while eyeing Regina to follow her.
'Watch Henry for me for a while please, I'll explain everything later' She said towards her parents who just nodded confused. She then turned around and looked at Henry.
'I'm sorry to leave now Henry, but Regina and I have to go over some research. I'll promise to check you later, kay kid?' Emma sighed and look apologetic at Henry. He just looked a little crestfallen and disappointed but nodded eventually.
'It's okay. You promised Regina so.' Henry shrugged and went to ask Granny for his order. Emma's parents brushed beside her and pointed a look at her. Emma just shrugged to and went out of the diner with Regina. Both looked around once they neared the street, inspecting which way Grace could've gone. Emma felt a touch on her shoulder when she turned around and saw Regina pointing her eyes to her left. She poked her head a little in front just in time to see the girl walking fast towards the corner of the Inn. She walked rather quickly and closed her jacket tightly around her while brushing something off her face. She scurried around the corner and that's when Emma and Regina began to chase her. 'It's gonna be an interesting day' Both Emma and Regina thought at the same time while hurrying towards the exact same corner.