Emma has been living with Regina and Henry for about a week. Regina redecorated the spare room to Emma's liking. She had the walls painted a light purple with a blue accent wall. Emma decided to get a ivory colored day bed with matching dresser and bookshelf. Emma loved her new room, it was bigger than any room she has ever had.

Tomorrow is Emma's first day of kindergarden.

Emma is extremely nervous, she liked being able to go to work with Regina in the morning and helping her make dinner at night. Emma never had a mother like Regina before, Regina was the first person Emma called Mommy.

Regina was helping Emma pick out her outfit for her first day. They decided on jeans and a sweater, with Emma's grey converse.

Emma was sitting on her bed with her head down picking at her comforter.

Regina had her back to Emma while she hung up Emma's clothes in the closet. She was wondering if Emma had already packed her bag. "Emma did you pack your bag for tomorrow?"

When Regina received no answers she turned around and saw Emma sitting on the bed. Regina walked over to Emma and knelt on the floor in front of her bed. "Hey Emma, what's the matter?"

Emma looked up from her comforter and sadly said, "I don't wanna go to school, I wanna stay with you."

Regina smiled and sat on the bed with Emma, "I want you to stay with me too, but you need to go to school so you can learn new things and make friends."

Emma looked at Regina and said, "But you are really smart can't you just teach me? Then I wouldn't have to go."

Regina chuckled and said, "Well thank you, I like to think I am pretty smart, but I am smart enough to know that I can't teach you everything you need to know. And what about making friends?"

Emma kept her head down, "You and Henry and Jack are my friends"

Regina said, "You don't want any more friends, just the three of us?"

Emma nodded. Regina asked, "But sweetheart you need friends your own age"

Emma looked at Regina with teary eyes and said, "No I don't. Other kids don't even like me. They called me freak and push me down."

Regina finally realized why Emma was so scared to go to school. Emma moved from foster home to foster home. She never was able to establish a set of friends and for her to pop up in the middle of the school year it must have been hard. And kids can be cruel.

Regina hated thinking about what Emma's life was like before she came to live with her and Henry. Emma has had only bad experiences even though she is only four years old.

Regina pulled Emma into her lap and kissed her on the head, "Emma, I know kids must have been mean before, but I think you are really going to like it here. I think you are going to make friends and learn a whole bunch of new things. Do you think you can give it a try? For me? Please?"

Emma turned her head and looked at Regina, "You really think so?"

Regina nodded and said, "I really think so."

Emma nodded and softly said, "Ok, I try it"

Regina smiled and gave Emma another kiss on the head, "That's my girl. What do you say we get ready for bed and I'll read you a story? How's that sound?"

Emma smiled and nodded. Regina and Emma read three books that night, Emma fell asleep halfway through the third. Regina quietly got up and left Emma's room. Regina sighed and went to check on Henry. Henry was asleep as well with his book on his chest and his light on. Regina quietly went into his room and picked up the book. Henry was reading the kids book he and Emma wrote together. Regina smiled and closed the book, placing it on his night table. Regina bent down and gave Henry a kiss on the forehead, "Good night my prince". Regina turned out his light and left the room.

Regina finally got herself ready and into bed. Regina prays that Emma has a good first day and that tomorrow at work she can find out more about the mysterious Avery Gold.

The next morning Regina drops Henry off followed by Emma. She can tell that Emma is trying to be brave as she slides out of the car. Regina quickly calls out to Emma before she reaches the front doors. Regina jogs after Emma and gives her a big big hug, "You will be fine and I will see you later."

Emma smiles and walks inside. Regina had everything planned out for Emma, down to when Emma will be taken outside so that she is the first person Emma sees.

Regina heads off to work when she sees that Emma is in the building.

Regina finishes all of her morning paperwork as quickly as possible. She then starts searching for Avery Gold. Regina being mayor gives her access to the police databases. Regina searches and is stunned at what pops up.

Avery Randal Gold

Age: 25

Locations: Boston MA, New York City NY, Dallas TX, Charlotte SC, Sacramento CA, Atlanta GA

Last known address: 146 Class Road, Boston Massachusetts

Arrests: 2008 stolen goods from convenient store, 2010 breaking and entering, 2012 possession with intent to sell

Notes: Possible association with the Huntsman Gang of NYC. Girlfriend Maddison Klarke found dead, confirmed overdose of heroin. Went through rehab for Heroin and Alcohol addiction. Suspect in gang related shootings and kidnapping, never charged.

Regina finished reading Avery's file and called Sheriff Graham.

"Hello sheriff's station, Sheriff Graham speaking" came the gruff voice of Graham

Regina quickly said,"Graham, I need you to come to my office. Immediately" and hung up

Fifteen minutes later Graham was knocking on Regina's door.

"Enter sheriff"

Graham entered and sat down across from Regina, "Why am I getting a sense of deja vu?"

Regina rolled her eyes and said, "I need a favor."

Graham lifted an eyebrow and said, "Oh really? And what might that favor be?"

Regina handed Graham Avery's printed out file. "I need you to be on the look out for this man. I need you to contact me if you see him."

Graham looked over the file and noticed the name, "Gold. As is Rumple Gold's son? No way. No. If he finds out I am through, I happen to like my job." Graham slapped the file back down on Regina's desk. Graham moved to get up and leave but Regina grabbed his wrist.

Regina had tears in her eyes and begged, "Please. I- I need this."

Graham had never heard Regina beg, for her to stoop to begging this must be extremely important.

Graham sat back down and said, "Explain. Why is this so important? Who cares about Gold's son?"

Regina took a calming breath and said, "I have reason to believe he is Emma's biological father."

Graham's mouth drops open but no words form. Regina takes the opportunity to continue, "Read his file. He runs. If I know Gold he is digging up Emma's past and Avery's past. He is going to make the connection that Emma was left on the side of the road not a mile from where Avery's girlfriend was found dead. Besides the fact that he and Emma have the same eyes and cheek bones."

Graham absorbed the information and asked, "Would it be so bad for Emma to meet him?"

Regina shook her head and said, "Yes. He doesn't stay. He has a past with addiction. Has been arrested. He has gang ties. Is that really someone you would want Emma around?"

Graham sighed and said, "No. I don't know how much I can do but I will be on the look out."

Regina released the breath she didn't know she was holding, "Thank you Graham."

Graham nodded and said, "You are welcome"

Across town Rumple Gold was using another contact to get in touch with Avery. His contact finally made himself worth the money Gold had spent on him. Gold now had a number for Avery.

Gold crossed his fingers and dialed the number. The call went to voice mail. Gold decided not to leave a message, knowing that Avery wouldn't listen to what he had to say anyway.

Gold had finally put the puzzle together.

Avery left Storybrooke six years ago, he left without any money and was arresting in Boston, 2008, for stealing. The store owner decided not to press charges so the police let Avery go.

Avery moved all over the county for the next two years. Avery moved back to Boston in 2010 with his then girlfriend Maddison Klarke.

Avery was arrested in early 2010 for breaking and entering and served 10 months. Maddison must have been pregnant with Emma when Avery got arrested.

Emma was born in 2010 and found on the side of a highway. Maddison Klarke's body was discovered only a mile away in the surrounding woods.

Authorities assumed that Maddison's overdose was a cover up, that someone in the Huntsman gang wanted Maddison dead. It was assumed that Maddison was on the run that night and had hoped to get out of town before the baby was born, but ended up in labor. If the gang really was after her finding her alone along a fairly deserted highway would have been perfect. Those bastards must have figured Emma would either die or would be found by someone, eventually, not that they cared since she was too young to identity them.

Since no one associated Maddison with Emma, Emma ended up in foster care.

Avery was released just before the New Year and moved round the East Coast. According to Gold's source Avery has been living in a run down apartment in Boston after being released for his latest crime, possession with intent to sell. Avery was rumored to be on drugs but nothing could be confirmed.

As Gold thinks about his son's past he hears a car door close.

Gold looked out of his shop window and saw the mayor picking up Emma from school. Emma had a huge smile on her face when she saw Regina leaning against her car. Emma ran to Regina and Regina lifted the girl. Gold could see both of their smiling faces and realized that Avery was robbed of those smiles, he didn't know that he had a daughter out there with his bright eyes and high cheekbones. Gold was determined to Avery back. He was determined to reunited father and daughter, no matter who he needs to go through.

A/N: sorry for the long wait, school has been crazy.