The leaves kept getting in her eyes. It was difficult enough to see with the blood that had congealed over her left eyelid, forcing it shut. She now had to rely her right eye, and the thick foliage was hindering her efforts. Her head was pounding. She had hit her head pretty hard in the dashboard when she slammed her foot on the breaks. Yet she could think clearly enough to stumble out and realize that she needed to get back. The problem was that she was lost.
She had been stumbling around the forest for days, and she was exhausted and starving. She cursed herself for leaving in such a rush, causing her to leave her phone behind. She tripped over a large root, falling to the ground. She gasped in pain. Her ankle began to throb. She reached for it, but she already knew that it was either sprained or twisted. She dragged her herself towards the tree that her caused her fall and rested her back against it. She squeezed her good eye shut and desperately hoped someone would find her soon.
Emma woke up early, oddly relaxed and with renewed determination. She dressed herself quickly and slipped downstairs, hoping to leave as soon as possible, but was hindered by the hunger that demanded attention in her stomach. She sighed, and hoped she could snag a banana from the kitchen. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. The silence in the kitchen indicated that Henry was not up yet, but the pot of freshly brewed coffee told her that Killian was awake. She breathed in the aroma of it, and wondered if she had time for a cup.
"Sneaking out?"
She almost jumped out of her skin and whirled around.
Killian Jones grinned lazily at her. He was leaning against the sink, his hands (both real and prosthetic) splayed on the counter top behind him. She suddenly felt very self-conscious. How he managed to look like a model so early in the morning was beyond her. He had chosen to wear a fitted navy sweater over an equally fitting pair of black jeans today, and hot damn. He looked like he belonged in an L. catalogue. She glanced down at her own sweater, wishing that she had left a change of clothes in her car. She mournfully poked at the ketchup stain at the hem of her sweater.
"Cup of coffee?"
"Oh god yes."
His grinned remained plastered on his face as he sauntered over to the pot and poured a cup for her. He handed the warm cup and she brought it up to her nose and inhaled deeply.
"It's always nice to meet a fellow caffeine addict."
She smiled up at him as she took a deep sip.
"This is really good! Thank you!"
She took another sip and sighed.
"But I have to run."
He nodded understandingly as he reached for the mug that she handed back to him, and pulled out a breakfast bar out of nowhere and offered it to her.
"Snack for the road?"
She smiled as she reached for it.
"Thanks."
His eyes twinkled in merriment.
"Just promise me you'll have an actual meal today."
She laughed and assured him that she would definitely be shoving several donuts into her body that day before she turned and left the kitchen to retrieve her coat from the closet.
"If there's anything I can do…" Killian called from the kitchen.
She smiled to herself.
"Thanks, Killian."
Mary Margaret was already awake by the time she got to the station, pacing the floor of her cell in agitation.
"Emma!" she called when the blonde entered the room.
Emma moved to unlock the cell and handed her a cup of coffee and a donut that she obtained from Granny's.
"I'm really sorry about this, Mary Margaret. I'm hoping we can get to the bottom of this soon."
The brunette nodded in agreement, and gratefully took the cup of coffee that she was offered.
"Let's have a talk at my desk."
"Let's not. I think the interrogation room would be more appropriate."
Both Emma and Mary Margaret started and turned around to find that Regina was now in the room. She stood, arms folded, glaring at the pair of women. Emma opened her mouth to chastise her, but Regina waved her hand at her.
"Save it, Miss Swan. As mayor, I have every right to sit in on this interrogation."
Emma looked helplessly at Mary Margaret, who suddenly looked miserable. They shuffled into the interrogation room.
"Where at the handcuffs, Miss Swan?"
Emma turned to her heel to confront Regina.
"It's not necessary." She hissed at the imposing brunette.
Regina's eyes narrowed at her, but she did not push the matter any further.
The trio trooped into the small interrogation room. Emma gestured to the chair that Mary Margaret should sit down in and move across from her, while indicating that Regina do the same. The mayor lowered herself primly onto the chair, crossing one leg over the other with a graceful arc. She looked almost regal, whereas Mary Margaret shrunk into her seat, her face drawn and her eyes were hidden with shadows.
Emma sighed. It was probably best to start from the beginning.
"Mary Margaret, could you please run me through your day? For yesterday, I mean."
Mary Margaret hesitated, and then started speaking slowly.
"Well, I woke up yesterday at 7 am. I got ready and at around 7:30, I made coffee and you were there-" she began to get flustered, but Emma smiled and nodded at her to continue.
"And we had coffee together and then I headed to the school. I was there until 3pm."
"And then after."
"and then after-" Mary Margaret faltered. She took a deep breath.
"I met David Nolan."
Emma started in surprise, and Regina let out a low growl of anger.
"I'm sorry, why were you meeting David Nolan?!"
Mary Margaret hung her head in shame.
"I…we…I love him."
She began to sob.
Emma was at a loss, and she turned to Regina. The other woman's face was contorted into a snarl, but Emma could see a spark of fear in her eyes.
"Regina, I think it's best that I finish this interview by myself."
Regina turned to protest, but then stopped herself.
"Outside, Ms. Swan. Now."
Emma resented being ordered around, but followed her out into the hall. As soon as the door closed shut behind her, Regina turned, her expression furious.
"You think you may know your friend, but it is clear you don't. You don't know anyone in this town."
"And you do."
Regina laughed harshly.
"Of course I do! I'm the mayor. I know everyone."
"And that's why you should let me do it."
Regina blinked at her in shock, and Emma pressed on.
"I don't know anyone. Not really anyway. I'm more impartial than you. Just because I'm not yelling-" — Emma clenched her fists at the thought—"-doesn't mean I can't conduct an interrogation."
Regina's jaw dropped open, and Emma smiled to herself.
"I'm in charge of this investigation, Madam Mayor. This is my job."
Regina's outraged turned into cool indifference, and Emma sensed that she had earned just a little bit of respect.
"Fine. We'll do it your way for now, Ms. Swan. Just know that Mary Margaret isn't as innocent as she seems."
With that, she spun on her heel and marched down the hall, her heels clicking behind her. Emma pushed her hair out of her face and frowned. Now she had bigger problems to deal with. Had Mary Margaret been sneaking out to see David Nolan for a while now? All those times she stayed late at the school…suddenly it all clicked. Emma groaned at her naiveté. She had seen the way they looked at each other. She should have known better. Sighing audibly, she pushed the door open to face the tear-stained face of Mary Margaret. She sat down in her chair and stared at the petite brunette.
"Do you want to tell me how this started?"
Mary Margaret launched into the whole story, stuttering with embarrassment and getting her words out in a rush. Much like Emma had suspected, Mary Margaret had been sneaking out to meet David. They'd meet in the forest mostly, or go for rides in his truck. Worst yet, he told her that he planned on leaving his wife. Emma winced.
"You know how this sounds, right?"
Mary Margaret stared up at her, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I know, but-"
"I don't think you do. She might have been pregnant, Mary Margaret."
Mary Margaret gasped.
"I didn't know! I didn't-"
"It doesn't matter. Hell, it doesn't matter if David didn't know. It looks so suspicious right now. You two, having an affair, a possibly pregnant wife might ruin it…you see where I'm going."
Mary Margaret broke down, and Emma felt terrible. She stood up and moved over to her friend.
"Mary Margaret, I believe you. It's just this is going to take longer than I thought. And you'll be staying here longer than either of us imagined."
Mary Margaret calmed down slightly, and nodded. Emma smiled down at her.
"I promise, I'll get to the bottom of this."
As she led Mary Margaret back to the holding cell, Emma remembered the key.
"I'll be taking the key to your apartment. I need to figure out if it was broken into if your jewelry box was stolen."
Mary Margaret nodded in response, and then gasped.
"Oh Emma! I'm so sorry! How did you get in last night?"
Emma grinned. Of course Mary Margaret would be concerned over Emma's well-being while she was locking her up!
"Don't worry about it. I'm staying with Killian and Henry."
Mary Margaret couldn't keep the look of surprise of her face.
"I thought he wasn't very fond of you?"
Emma shrugged.
"He seems to be coming around. Maybe he finally realized I'm not going to take Henry away from him."
Mary Margaret nodded pensively, and sat down on her bunk, looking miserable. Seeing her friend look so pitiful almost broke Emma's heart. She resolved to get to the bottom of this soon.
Emma sighed in frustration. The apartment was immaculate. There were absolutely no signs of forced entry on the doors on windows. How could Mary Margaret's box be stolen then? She flopped down on the sofa and tried to think. Was it possible that she had misplaced it years ago? She did she hadn't seen it in a while. Emma stood up.
Perhaps she would go talk to Mr. Gold. Maybe he knew something. Emma stood up and picked up the bag of clothes she had packed. Even though she had the keys to the apartment, Emma didn't feel comfortable staying. Not while her friend was behind bars. She had also packed a separate bag for Mary Margaret – some books so that she wouldn't be bored, a warmer blanket, and a softer pillow. Emma's guilty conscience wondered if she should throw some snacks in, but she quickly shook that thought.
This wasn't some sort of messed up sleepover. This was a serious situation, and was getting more serious by the second. On her way over to Mr. Gold's, she heard the whispers from the townsfolk as they passed her. They were talking about Mary Margaret and David, expressing their shock but also denouncing Mary Margaret. Emma gritted her teeth in an effort to stop herself from screaming. She pulled out her beanie and shoved it onto her head, hoping that it would muffle the town gossip that floated her way.
Mr. Gold's pawnshop had always been one of the establishments that she wanted to avoid. She had been in a fair share of pawnshops in her life, and was not ready to go back to a place that would conjure up bad memories. Memories of a young Emma, broke and desperate. Or worse yet, foolish Emma, head over heels in love with Neal Cassidy. She stood outside for a while, bracing herself. Finally she shook herself mentally and pushed the door open. A tinkling bell announced her presence, and Mr. Gold's cane announced his. He pushed his way through a curtain at the back of the room, hobbling his way over to the front desk.
"What can I do for you today, Ms Swan?"
She hesitated for a second. Something in his voice told her that he knew why she was here today, but Emma pushed that hesitant warning out of her head. She strode up to the desk, pulling a photo out of the manila folder that she had gripped tightly in her left hand.
"I was wondering if you had a jewelry box like this in your possession until quite recently."
He studied the picture carefully and then looked up at her.
"Can't say that I have." He replied evenly.
Emma's hopes were crushed along with her theory.
"Thanks," she said morosely as she studded the photo back into the folder.
Suddenly he smiled at her, and it reminded her some something very reptilian.
"This about the Katherine Nolan case?"
Emma stared at him, giving him a tight nod. She was not willing to disclose any information, but she sensed he knew something.
"It just so happens she was in my shop the other day! She exchanged a ring for some money. It seems she was planning on leaving town."
Emma leaned over the desk, breathing heavily in excitement.
"Did she say where?"
Mr. Gold looked at her in amusement.
"That she did not. Though I imagine that would be tricky. No one really leaves this town."
Emma pulled back in disappointment.
"So I've heard."
She continued to mull the new information she had, when she realized that Mr. Gold was still staring at her, and she felt self-conscious.
"You know," he said conversationally, but in a tone that was anything but, "I thought that she might be lost in the woods. It's a dangerous place you know. Confusing too. Especially if one was disorientated."
Emma stared at him, his words slowly sinking in. Was he…telling her that Katherine was lost somewhere in the woods? But then her heart was found…and even if she was alive, how did he know?
As if on cue, he continued.
"and I've always thought the good Doctor Whale was a little incompetent when it came to tests. Too little patience, too much fondness for whisky." He chuckled at this.
Emma continued to stare, flabbergasted. She hadn't thought to double check the report that Whale gave her. It was possible for the sample to have been contaminated. And he had that report done a bit too fast for her liking.
"Thank you Mr. Gold, you've been very helpful."
He smiled at her again, that forced reptilian smile.
"Was I? Just mere speculation." He said, in a low, self-assured voice.
She turned to go.
"Next time, Ms. Swan, I hope you come in with something for me."
She swung back to look at him.
"I believe in deals. This was a free one. A Welcome-To-The-Town gift, so to speak."
He grinned at her, and it unnerved her. She nodded slowly and he turned away, satisfied.
It was getting late when Emma returned to the station, but she had a plan in motion. She had organized a search party that would scour the woods from the point where Ruby found the heart to the location where David's pickup truck was abandoned. They promised her that they would start that night. She had also reordered a test of the heart that was found. She had explained to an irate Regina when she called that she was merely gathering evidence, and soothed an annoyed Dr. Whale's ego by telling him that the evidence could have been contaminated before it reached him.
When she turned up at the station, she found a worried David pacing up and down. She frowned at him, but walked over anyway.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here."
He looked at her, startled.
"She's innocent! I swear-"
Emma held up a hand to cut him off.
"I know, David."
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"But I can't let you in to see her. You're technically a person of interest too. It won't help her case."
He nodded sadly, and started to slink away. Emma sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, not believing what she was going to do.
"I'll tell her you dropped by."
He spun around at that, his eyes lighting up.
"That would be great, actually."
She nodded tiredly and waved him off.
When Emma turned up the Jones residence, it was close to midnight. The team had begun their sweep an hour ago, and there had been no updates, but Emma was hopeful. She had filled Mary Margaret in on the situation, and chose to ignore how her eyes lit up at the mention of David rather than the possibility that Katherine might be alive.
She groaned and cricked her neck. What she wouldn't give for a warm bath right now! She placed her hand on the doorknob and stilled. Shit. She hadn't told Killian that she would be late. Would the door be locked? She twisted the handle tentatively, and breathed a sigh of relief when it started to swing open.
She stepped into darkness and she shut the door slowly behind her. She started to stop off her jacket, fumbling for the door to the coat closet in the darkness. She started to tiptoe over to the stairs, narrowing avoiding tripping over a boot. As she passed close to the kitchen, she noticed a dim light under the door. Curiously, she pushed on it, and it swung open easily.
Killian Jones was seated at the kitchen table, with a glass of a dark coloured liquid and a book open in front of him. He jerked when the door opened, and Emma smiled at the sight before her. He was still dressed his dark sweater and jeans, and his hair was a mess, but artfully so. Had he waited up for her? She felt a twinge of regret that she did not call ahead to warn him.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
He waved it off.
"Nonsense, Swan. I figured this awful business would keep you out late."
She sighed and sank into a chair across from him. Her hand went to massage her neck.
"You have no idea."
He raised an eyebrow at her. He silently rose and walked over to her.
"May I?"
He gestured to her neck. Emma's hand slipped down in surprise.
"Oh. Erm…"
Truth was, she wasn't uncomfortable with the idea of Killian Jones giving her a massage. In fact, it was the lack of discomfort over the idea that worried her.
"Sure…?"
He chuckled softly, his hand going up to her shoulder.
"Easy, Swan. I'm not going to attack. And I've got only one hand. You could take me easily."
Emma smiled to herself, and then let out a groan of contentment as his fingers quickly located a knot. She could feel the callouses on his fingers, but his touch was surprisingly tender. They worked her neck muscles expertly.
"Mmm…back…" she mumbled, incoherently.
"What was that?"
He leaned in to ask, and she could feel his breath tickle the back of her neck. It sent tickles down her spine. She blushed at his nearness.
Before she could recant what she said, he seemed to decipher her words, and his fingers moved lower.
"Is this good?"
Again he was near her ear, sending a warm puff of breath that sent a shiver down her back. Damn, he is good with his fingers, she thought.
"Mmmm." She moaned out loud, and was immediately embarrassed at her involuntary reaction.
Suddenly her phone started to ring, and she fumbled for it in her jean pocket, thankful for its interruption. Killian's fingers moved away, and she felt a pang of regret at the loss of contact.
"Hello Sheriff?"
It was Leroy, who had amazed her that afternoon by volunteering to help search for Katherine.
"Yeah, Leroy?"
"We've found her. She'd severely dehydrated and she's got some minor injuries, but she's alive."
Emma let out a shaky sigh of relief, thanked him and hung up. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a few minutes in happiness, letting the events of the day overtake her. Only then did she realize how tired she was. She cracked open an eyelid to see Killian staring at her, a soft smile playing on his face. She smiled back tiredly.
"Congratulations are in order then, Sheriff." He winked at her, and Emma let out a wheezy laugh.
"In fact, I think you deserve a reward. Maybe a good night's sleep." He joked lightly, but Emma was already drifting off. When she woke up the next morning, she was tucked away in her bed, with no recollection of how she got there.