Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT.

Chapter 3:

Emma awoke with a start, after a vivid dream where she was being chased by a wolf with a hook for a tail. She lay in bed and willed herself to fall asleep, but try as she might, sleep did not come. She sighed loudly and dragged herself out of bed.

She made her way downstairs, and inhaled the smell of coffee that permeated the air. She was now glad for Granny's six am Early Bird Breakfast policy, even though she had scoffed at the idea of waking up before nine when she had first checked in.

The dinner was fairly empty, with only the permanently scowling Leroy at a booth. He looked up as she entered, and sneered at her briefly before busying himself with his newspaper. Emma rolled her eyes. She sat down at the bar, and mulled over the menu that lay in front of her. She heard the tinkle of the bell at the door, but didn't bother to look up. Probably one of Leroy's friends, she thought, as she heard Leroy's 'good morning' grunt, which she was saddened that she knew so well now.

"What'll it be, Ms. Swan?"

A soft voice made her look up. Granny was standing at the counter, pencil and pad in hand.

Emma smiled.

"Hi Granny, Could I get a bear claw and a coffee?"

Granny nodded, and left abruptly.

Emma blinked a little with shock. Usually Granny was friendlier than that, enquiring how Emma had slept, and what she had planned to do that day.

Emma shook it off. It was early.

She looked at the trays of cupcakes that Granny had placed on top of a display case, and wondered if she could get away with having a cupcake for lunch.

Before she could come to a decision, Granny was back. She placed the sticky pastry in front of Emma, and pushed a cup of coffee towards her.

Emma smiled gratefully, and took a large sip of coffee.

"Emma."

She looked up at Granny, who looked like she was in pain.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

Granny shook her head.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Emma stared at her in shock, wondering what she could have possibly done to warrant being kicked out.

Granny sighed sadly, and pulled out a newspaper from near the cash register.

"I have a policy against ex-cons."

She pushed the paper towards Emma, whose blood had now run cold.

Convict! Screamed the headline, with a mug shot of 18 year old Emma Swan. Her mouth ran dry. The byline told her that the writer named Sidney Gold. She folded the paper and stood up.

"Would you like me to check out now?" Emma said in a tone that was dripping in anger.

Granny shook her head, and offered Emma a sad smile.

"Please finish your breakfast. I'm really sorry about this."

Emma couldn't help herself.

"Then why are you doing this?"

Granny stared into her eyes.

"It's town policy. If it were up to me…." She trailed off.

Emma got the hint. The mayor was behind this.

"Regina." She said out loud.

Granny nodded, and then reached out to pat Emma's hand.

"We all make mistakes. I don't think anyone would hold it against you."

She turned and headed back to the kitchen.

Emma stood up. Suddenly she had an urge to have breakfast in bed. She grabbed her untouched bear claw in a napkin and slipped off her stool. The sooner she ate, the sooner she could leave and figure out her next step.

As soon as she turned around, she came face to face with Killian Jones. Her blood now began to heat. Of course he would be there to witness this.

"Ms. Swan." He started.

Emma glared and cut him off.

"Not now, Jones. I'm not in the mood." She snapped at him, and began to stride towards the stairs at the back of the diner.

"I'm sorry."

Emma whirled around. She had barely managed to hear his apology. She stood still, wondering what the hell he was playing at. His eyes darted to the floor before she could make eye contact with him, and he scratched the back of his neck.

Before she could ask what he meant, he abruptly nodded her, turned on his heel and walked towards the exit.

Emma stood still for several more seconds, still trying to figure out what had just happened when the tinkling bell signalling Killian's departure reminded her of her own impending one.

She hurried up the stairs, with her mind clouded with thoughts about revenge against Regina and the mystery that was Killian Jones.

Emma would never claim to have a green thumb, but as she stood back to admire her handiwork, she was proud of herself. The only tree in Regina's back yard was a testament to her artistic talents. Branches and apples lay littered on the ground, and Emma regarded the now measly-looking tree in front of her. She tilted her head. There was another branch at the back that seemed like it would look better on the floor. She raised the chainsaw.

Suddenly, a door flew open with a bang, and Emma turned to see Regina descend upon her, fury in her eyes.

"Miss Swan," She hissed, "What the hell are you doing?"

Emma looked at her coolly.

"Gardening." She replied glibly.

Regina looked furious.

"You're trespassing and you're destroying my property. I could call the sheriff at any time."

Emma smiled at her.

"Ah, but you haven't."

Regina stared at her in shock, and Emma pressed her advantage.

"You're not going to call the sheriff. You know why I'm doing this."

Regina smirked at her, and crossed her arms.

"Well Ms. Swan, you're smarter than you look."

It was Emma's turn to look shocked. She did not expect the mayor to confess so easily.

"Why?" she managed to get out.

Regina raised her head and sneered at her.

"The town needed to know the truth. That you weren't who you appear to be. There are some impressionable minds in this town, you know."

It finally hit Emma.

"You mean Henry."

Regina smiled cruelly.

"Yes, Ms. Swan, Henry. He's been through enough."

Emma stared at her, wondering why she was so invested in Henry.

"Why do you care what happens to Henry?' she asked out of curiosity.

Regina stiffened and drew her lips into a tight line.

Her answer shocked Emma.

"He's my son."

Emma lowered the chainsaw in shock and gaped at Regina. She wasn't lying. Emma's lie detector was not going off. This woman truly believed that Henry was her son.

Regina rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance.

"Well, not his birth mother, obviously, but I've cared for him for a long time. I even named him."

Emma, not sure how to respond to Regina's statement, just nodded. Regina stepped to one side, signalling that it was time for Emma to leave.

Emma trudged out, her mind working in overtime, trying to tie everything together. Regina followed behind her, no doubt to make sure that she actually left. Just as Emma reached the gate of the house, she turned around.

"I don't want to hurt him."

Regina looked taken aback, and Emma continued.

"I don't want to take any one's place or step on any toes. This is a shock to me, believe me."

Regina regarded her coolly.

"Then I suggest you leave as soon as you can, Ms. Swan."

With that, she turned and walked back to her house, her heels clicking behind her.