1291 Words, this chapter

Chapter Six, Dark Heart

It was after noon when Dave returned to the sheriff's office. It was quiet. "Where are the dwarves?"

"They're here," said Emma.

"How are you doing?" he asked, hopeful.

She glared at him. "I'd be doing just fine...if I was alone."

He shook his head and walked back to the cells. The dwarves were there. They didn't look like the crazy guys of earlier.

Sleepy was asleep. Sneezy sat quietly, trying not to sneeze. The others were all sitting closely, quietly chatting. There was no sign of anger or resentment. "How are you guys feeling?"

They looked up. Each one smiled.

"Hi, Dave!" cried Happy, acting...well, happy.

David stared at him, focusing on his arm, the one he had around Doc, who was smiling. They didn't look at all like the two brothers he'd had to tear apart from each other for their own safety.

"You guys don't act...mad, anymore."

"Oh, we aren't," said Happy, with another big smile. "That was so weird."

Doc nodded. "It's perplexing."

Leroy frowned. "Yeah. Sorry about that." He sighed. "That went way past being grumpy. I...don't know what happened."

Dave looked them over. "You seem fine now." They all nodded. "You can't think of anything that made you act that way?"

They all shook their heads.

"Well, let's just keep you here a bit longer, just to make sure, OK? Then, if you're all still feeling fine, we'll send you home."

"Will Emma let you?" asked Doc. "She seems extremely upset with us."

David scowled. "Yeah. I don't think it's just you, though. Don't worry, I'll make her see that it's in her best interests to let you go. If you continue to behave."

"We will," said Happy, smiling.

Dave chuckled. "OK, Good."

He walked back to Emma.

"Emma..."

She glared at him. "Remember when I said I wished I was alone?"

"You aren't," he said, bending over her. "You'll never be alone."

"Please, don't remind me."

"Emma, honey..."

"Honey? Yeah, we're real close aren't we?"

That one hurt. He knew it continued to haunt her, that they'd been separated, that she grew up without them, but...that was low. "Let me in."

She scoffed. "You don't have to do the dad act. Besides, it's a bit late."

"Look, you know how sorry we are..."

"Right."

"But, Emma, I'm here now and I want to help."

"I don't need your help!"

"Sweetheart..."

"Stop it!"

"Emma..."

She pushed back. She leveled a cold, steely gaze at him. "David, leave me alone. I mean it or I'll be forced to put you on suspension."

He looked shocked. "You're joking."

"Want to test me?"

"Suspend me for what? Worrying about you?"

"For interfering with the sheriff."

He scoffed. "Wow. Emma, that's..." He shook his head. "Something is wrong..."

She cut him off with a deadly glare. He sighed and sat at his desk. They spent about half an hour of uncomfortable silence.

He quietly left his desk and walked to the holding cells. Their 'guests' were the same: polite, quiet, behaving. "Get ready to leave," he told them. They smiled and nodded.

He went back to Emma. "I think we should let the dwarves go."

She rolled her eyes and looked at him. "Oh, do you really, deputy?" she said, spitting the last word.

He kept a hold of her gaze. "Yes. They aren't causing trouble and...if we get rid of them, you're seven people closer to being alone."

She chuckled rudely. "Excellent point, deputy. Toss them out."

He nodded, sighing with relief. It went easier than he anticipated. He went back, opening the cells and letting them out.

"Don't worry, we won't...misbehave," said Doc.

Happy nodded, smiling pleasantly.

They all left, obedient and quietly. They even said pleasant goodbyes to Emma who just growled in reply.

David stood at the back of the office, watching her quietly for a while.

She angrily trudged through her paperwork, snapping papers, mumbling, and stomping her feet. He bit his tongue, but he was aching to say something, anything. She was getting worse, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was...unnatural.

Another half hour went by. David had never felt so helpless. He gave up speaking to her. He sat at his desk, doing his work, glancing uneasily at her. Once he walked past her, on his way to file something. She groaned. Instinctively he reached out for her.

She pulled away, hissing.

He sighed and went back to the limited solace of his desk.

Sometime later Emma stretched and groaned again. "That's enough stupidity for today." She glared at him. I'm going home," she announced. "If that's fine, with you?"

He nodded. "Get some rest."

She scoffed. "In this town full of meddling busybodies? Not likely." She stomped out, slamming the door.

While the sheriff's office was having a fantastic afternoon, Killian had heard about the commotion at the diner and thought it curious. He decided to investigate. He walked in to find Granny and Red joking and laughing.

"You two look quite happy," he said. "I heard that you had been arguing."

Ruby blushed. "Yeah. I don't know what happened. I'm OK now though."

Granny smiled. "She apologized." Ruby smiled back and gave her a sideways hug.

Killian sighed. "Well, I do not mean to sound rude, but this is rather disappointing. I was hoping I would find a clue about Emma's condition. It would seem not."

Ruby looked at him. "She's still not better?"

"No," said Killian. "I am happy to see however that you are not...afflicted...with whatever has happened to Emma."

"Maybe..." began Ruby. She bit her lip. "I...well, I can't explain what I felt. It just wasn't me. I couldn't stop the rage and when I think about it," she said. "Well, I was acting a lot like Emma."

"Indeed?"

Ruby nodded. "I just...exploded for no reason. So did Emma."

"You are better however Emma is not."

"Maybe, I'm not convinced they aren't related though," she said, shaking her head. "Hook, did you hear that the dwarves were arrested earlier?"

"For what transgression?" asked the pirate.

"Fighting. They've all been released," said Ruby. "Happy was in here a while ago. He said he's never felt such anger. He also couldn't explain it."

"That is strange," admitted Killian.

Ruby nodded, then looked directly at him. "They were in here that morning, when Emma went crazy."

"Yes, they were. How interesting," he said.

"Maybe you've found your clue after all?"

He smiled. "Perhaps. Thank you, Ruby."

She smiled back.

The diner's phone rang. "Yeah Dave, he's here, standing in front of me. Hang on," said Granny. "Hook, it's for you."

The pirate eyed the talking contraption with reluctance and mild fear. He held it way too far out as he spoke into it. Ruby watched, grinning. "No, you should not go alone," he said into the phone, barely. He chuckled. "I do not blame you for not wishing to involve Emma. I happily offer my assistance. I shall proceed there at once." He handed the phone to Granny.

He looked at Ruby. "It seems there is some commotion at the hospital involving Doctor Whale."

"Victor? Is he hurt?"

Killian shook his head. "I am sorry, that I do not know. However, It appears that he is behaving in the same manner as Emma and you, the you of earlier that is."

Ruby's eyes widened. "Granny?" she asked, not saying anything further.

The old woman understood though and simply nodded.

Ruby grabbed her keys. "Come on, Pirate, I'll drive."

End of Chapter Six