"Who is she?"

BEEP

"I've never seen her before."

BEEP

"She's very malnourished."

BEEP

"She has old bruises and marks."

BEEP

"Looks young too; thirteen? Fourteen maybe?"

BEEP

"'M fifteen." The blonde mumbled at the voices. She slowly opened her eyes, pain radiating her body. "Where am I?"

"You're at the hospital, sweetheart. You were in a bad accident."

Suddenly, she remembered, and she gasped as pain hit her ribs. The blonde had "borrowed" a motorcycle and drove, needing to get far away. Day had turned to night as the city turned to the country and the roads less filled with traffic. "There was an animal." She remembered.

"Okay sweetheart, just relax. You're going to be okay." A nurse told her, reassuringly. "Where are you from?"

"Boston mostly." The girl said, feeling fuzzy. "I don't feel good."

"Deep breaths, honey. Where are your parents?"

"Don't have any." She was trying not to throw up. "I'm on my own. No need to call social services either; I left the system three years ago."

The nurse looked at her softly. "What's your name, darling?"

"Emma." The blonde said, laying her head down and closing her eyes. "Emma Swan."

Maleficent sighed as she looked around the empty house. For the last ten years, she'd been taking care of her best friend's girls after she and her husband had died in a car accident. Now, the girls were twenty and seventeen and living back at their family home, the older taking care of the younger. It was hard to let them go, but they were only down the road and still talked to her almost on a daily basis. She had just finished cleaning the last room when her phone rang.

"Hey Ingrid. I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. Is everything okay with the girls?" She knew they'd had a home visit recently.

"Oh yes, they're doing just fine. You did a great job with them. Now…I know you only got your fostering license to watch the girls, but we have a bit of a problem and right away I thought of you. Did you happen to hear about the motorcycle accident late last night?"

Mal sat down, her heart pounding. "No. It wasn't one of…"

"No, Mal. It wasn't the girls, nor was it anyone from town. The girl – let's see, Emma, was…is fifteen and well…she's been running from social services after leaving a home that was later deemed 'unfit'. Meaning…"

"Meaning something bad happened and she felt she had no choice but to leave." Mal filled the silence. She'd taken the classes each year to keep her license for the girls and heard the horror stories some kids went through.

"Exactly. That was three years ago."

"Three years? Where has she been?"

Ingrid sighed. "Let's just say that Boston Social Services didn't exactly rush out to look for her. That's why we're trying to keep her here where she can get the care she needs."

"I understand that, but where do I come in? I've only ever had the girls and I knew them, and they knew me. I'm not sure I'm experienced enough to help her." Even as she said it, she started thinking about what it would be like to have a lost soul stay with her. "Is she badly injured?"

"She has a few scrapes, bumps, bruises and two broken ribs, but she will be okay." Ingrid gathered her words. "Mal, I think what she needs is someone like you. Someone who's not experienced honestly, because I think she is tired of foster parents who just give up. Before she ran, she'd been in many homes and group homes and from what I can tell, most of them weren't her fault."

"Most of them?" Mal asked, though she already knew she wanted the girl.

"There were a few where yes, she threw fits or broke rules, but I think she was testing them."

"And in her mind, they failed."

"Exactly. She refuses a group home and prefers one without a father figure and Mal…I honestly think you'll like her. I talked with her for a few hours today and she has a great personality under all the pain from her past. In some ways, she reminds me of you."

"When can I see her?" Mal asked with a smile. "And bring her home."

Ingrid let out a breath. "Thank you. I'm at the hospital now, so I'll go talk to her, but she can be discharged any time. Would you like me to bring her to you?"

"You know what? I'll come get her."

"Thank you so much, Mal. I really do think this is an amazing match for both of you."

"Wait, I do have one question. It won't change my mind; I'm still taking her. Does she have a family?" Mal was wondering how they'd set up visits if she still had her biological family.

"No. She was abandoned as a baby, was adopted, but sent back when the mother died of cancer and the father just couldn't take care of her. She was four at the time and since then had been placed in many homes. I just can't help but wish she'd been anywhere but Boston."

"The poor girl. Okay, I'll get ready and be right over. I have other questions, but all in good time."

"Thank you, Mal. See you soon."

Emma lay in bed, eyes closed but wide awake. She'd spent three years avoiding social services and now, with one stupid accident, she was back in their grips. Sure, Ingrid did seem much kinder and caring than any of her past – numerous – social workers, but she didn't know if she could trust her. She was in some small town in Maine and thought for sure she'd be sent back to Boston, but Ingrid said she had some other options before they decided on sending her back there.

"Emma, sweetie?" Ingrid said quietly as she sat in the chair next to Emma's bed.

Emma opened her eyes. "Yeah?"

"I found a place for you here in Storybrooke. I know you'd rather us just let you go, but Emma, I can't do that. I don't want to; you deserve to have a home and someone to take care of you." She said, meaning every word. "You're fifteen, sweetheart, you have three more years to be a kid and I want that for you." She opened Emma's file and shook her head. "Do you know what I see when I look through your file?"

Emma sighed, looking down at her hands. "A problem child?"

"No, sweetheart." She said, putting her hand softly on Emma's. "I see so many mistakes made by people who were supposed to take care of you and protect you. I see a lost girl who wasn't given a chance and damnit, I want to fix that."

Emma looked at the woman, tears in her eyes. "Do you do foster care?" She couldn't help but hope.

"No honey, I'm sorry. However, I know a woman who I think is perfect for you. She just finished fostering two teens that she got when they were ten and seven and are now twenty and seventeen. I will say she had known them since they were born as they belonged to her friend, but she was amazing with them. She's single and fits exactly what you're looking for." She looked at Emma. "Normally we wouldn't put…" She was trying to word it without offending the girl.

"A runaway? Troublemaker? Problem child?"

"No Emma. Others may wrongly label you that, but I don't. I was thinking more along the lines of someone who has been in the system for so long with someone who's only had one placement, but I really, honestly think this is the perfect match." She closed the folder and looked into Emma's eyes. "Her name is Maleficent and she's wonderful. Give us a chance, Emma. Please. I want this to work more than I've ever wanted anything."

"Why?" Emma asked, unable to break eye contact. "You don't know me; you saw my file. Why do you care?"

"I don't know, honestly. I think it's because I have seen your file and I see that no one has cared. I don't want you to live your life feeling like no one ever cared about you, sweet girl."

Emma felt the tears and the lump in her throat. "I'll try." She said, unable to say much more.

There was a soft knock at the door and Emma saw an older blonde woman who had a friendly smile. "Oh good, you're here." Ingrid said standing. "Emma, this is Mal. Mal, this is Emma."

Mal couldn't believe the girl in the bed was fifteen. She looked more like thirteen to her. "Hey there. How are you feeling?"

"Better than last night." Emma said with a sigh. "I'm just tired and my ribs hurt."

"That's because you're refusing to take pain meds." The nurse said as she came in to check on her. "You could be almost pain free."

"Yeah, with no idea what the hell is going on around me? No thank you."

"Well, maybe once you get settled at home, you'll feel better about taking something." She said, checking the clipboard. "I see we can unhook you so you can head out."

Emma gave a shrug. "I guess. Where are my clothes?" Her eyes suddenly got wide. "Where's my bag? I need my bag with my stuff in it."

"Okay sweetie, calm down." The nurse said, grabbing Emma's bag from the cabinet. "I don't know if they got everything because your bag was found a few feet away from you."

Emma rummaged in the bag and let out a breath. "It's all here. But I…I still need my clothes. I... they're all I have."

"We had to cut them off you, sweetheart." The nurse said softly. "We'll find you something."

"I did bring some clothes." Mal stated. "I didn't know if you'd need some, but I think they may be a bit too big." She pulled out the t-shirt, jeans, and sweatshirt. "I didn't bring underthings."

"It's okay, thank you." Emma said. "Those will work for now. I'm sorry. I'll clean your house or do yard work or whatever so I can earn money to get more."

"Hush." Mal said with a smile. "I have a few more spares at home, but once you're feeling up to it, we'll go to the store and get you more. Honey, that's what I'm here for. That's part of being a foster parent."

"Yeah, but I usually have to do extra chores for clothes."

Ingrid sighed. "Not anymore. Emma, I don't usually discuss this with my kids but, Mal gets money to go towards things like clothes."

"I know that, but I know it's not much and it gets to be less and less as we get older. That's why no one wants teens…well part of the reason."

Mal shook her head. "Honey, I don't care about any of that. I'm going to be your legal guardian and in my eyes that means I take care of anything you need, Emma. When it comes to extras, then we can discuss a way of earning them, but for necessities like clothes, I've got you."

The nurse took the IV out and Emma took the clothes in the attached bathroom to change. Ingrid looked at Mal. "I so want this to work out for both of you."

Mal gave a soft smile. "So do I. She's a little thing, isn't she?"

"I'd say she needs some good food, good sleep, and lots of love." Ingrid stated. "It is summer, so she won't have school, but judging by her records, I'm going to talk with her about suggestions for catching up. I honestly don't want to worry too much about that right now because I think getting her acclimated to living with you is most important. She's been on her own for three years doing who knows what and this will be a change for her."

"I'm a little nervous about that, to be honest." Mal said quietly. "What do I do if she wants to leave? Or if she does leave?"

"As you know, you can't physically stop her: you can't lock her in, you can't hold her back, not that I think you would, but I have to say it. The best thing to do is try talking to her, but if she leaves, you call the police and then me, and we go from there."

Mal gave a nod and looked towards the bathroom. "I'm really glad you called me. I don't know her, but I can already tell I'm going to like her."

The bathroom door cracked open. "Is the nurse still here?" A teary-eyed Emma asked. "I can't lift my arms to get the shirts on."

Mal stood. "Is it okay if I help you?" Emma nodded and went back into the bathroom. Mal came in and started untying her gown. She couldn't stop her gasp when she saw the girls back. Not only were her ribs sticking out she was so thin, but she also had both faded and newer looking scars along with a patchwork of bruises, both old and new. "Honey, what happened?"

"I was driving and saw an animal and then I was here." Emma said coldly.

"I know that, but these aren't all new."

"Can you just help me with my shirt please." Emma asked, frustrated. "I don't know you enough to share my life story."

"Right." Mal said, mentally slapping herself. "I'm sorry, Emma." She helped the girl with her shirt and sweatshirt.

"It's fine." Emma said, taking a breath and wincing as she dressed. "I'm sorry if I seem rude. I'm tired and hurting and honestly, no one has cared before."

Mal gave a small nod. "I get that, but Emma, I do care. You don't have to tell me, but you can tell me should you ever want to. It was rude of me to ask like that."

They walked back into the room and Emma shrugged. "You're new at this. From what it sounds like, you already knew the last kids you took in. I'm not new to this and so I have all my past experiences in my head." She looked at Mal. "It'll take a bit for us both to adjust."

Ingrid gave a smile. "Emma, does that mean I don't have to worry about you running?"

Emma looked at the woman and hated that her eyes filled with tears. "I'm so tired. I'm tired of running, of staying warm, staying fed, staying…not getting hurt or used or whatever. I'm so tired. I just…I have to trust that you really do care and that this will all work out. At least for now."

Maleficent couldn't stop herself as she carefully put an arm around the girl. "I know you have no reason whatsoever to trust me, but Emma, I promise you will always be warm, you will always have food, you will always be safe. I will never physically, emotionally, or verbally…or any other way, abuse you. I do hope that you will one day see that."

Emma winced at first, not used to being touched in so long, but soon leaned into the partial hug. She gave a small nod and wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry I'm crying." She said, lowering her head so her hair covered most of her face. "I'm not usually this emotional."

"You've been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours." Ingrid said. "Speaking of your motorcycle is…well, it's trash." She looked at Emma. "Where did you get it?"

Emma looked down again. "I stole it. Will I go to jail?"

"No. You got lucky, Emma. The owner, August Booth said you told him you were sixteen and borrowed it. He's not pressing charges or even asking for compensation. Our sheriff Graham has also decided to not press charges or administer any fines. We're just all happy you're alive."

Emma smiled softly. "August is a good guy. I feel terrible because he always tried to help me and then I just took it. I had to though, I had to get out of there."

"He said something along those lines as well. He said to tell you that Mr. Fritz has been paid back…" She looked at Emma questioningly. "Emma, is there anyone we need to keep you safe from? We need to know."

Emma shook her head. "Not if August paid him." She really didn't want to get into that right now, so she was glad when the doctor came in…even if he gave her the creeps.

"Emma, I see you're dressed. Great." He looked at Mal. "Oh, Mal you're taking in our little dare devil hmm?"

Mal tried hard not to roll her eyes. "I am. What do I need to know?"

"Basically, don't let her do too much and try to get her to take some kind of pain relief." As he talked in further detail, Emma couldn't help but watch the woman. She seemed different, but in a good way. She had kind and caring eyes and Emma so badly wanted to just frickin trust her. She wanted to be that three-year-old she was before, believing that people actually wanted her, before people completely let her down. She was tired of keeping her guard up and tired of trying so hard only to have it explode in her face.

"Emma? Are you ready?" Maleficent asked and Emma blinked.

"Yes, sorry. I'm ready."

The ride to Mal's was quiet as Emma just stared out the window. Her whole body was hurting, and she felt so drained. "Can I take a pill and sleep a little when we get to your place?"

"You must eat at least toast first, Emma. I can't give you those pills on an empty stomach, but then yes, you can sleep all you want."

"Why is Ingrid coming?"

"She and I just have some things to discuss, and she has to make sure the house is okay for you. Just typical social work things, or so she says."

"It is, I just figured she already knew you or something."

"She does, but she said she has to do this for each child."

"Yeah, she has to make sure I have a room and all that. It's stupid they do that because I've been to some places where they show the social worker a room, but it wasn't mine. I didn't have one." She kept looking out the window. "This town is tiny!"

Mal took in everything Emma told her, making mental notes of everything she said. "Emma, you have a room." She said softly and then laughed lightly. "I'm sure compared to Boston, this is a tiny place. It's nice though…well once you're an adult you think it's nice. Kids and teens tend to think it can get boring. However, we have many ocean and lake beaches, an arcade, a movie theater, and other things to keep one occupied."

Emma looked over at her. "Are you afraid I'll get bored?"

"I'm not afraid. I am concerned you'll miss the city and that's one thing I can't give you."

Emma smiled softly and then looked out the window. "I don't want it. I've seen enough of the city in one lifetime. You don't have to worry about that."

Mal glanced over and then back at the road. "If we were to take a shopping trip or something there, would you be safe?"

Emma sat back. "As long as August wasn't lying, then yes. I owed this guy Fritz about fifty bucks that I didn't have. He tricked me. He took me out to dinner, saying he could tell I was hungry. He then gave me a place to sleep for the night, saying no kid should be alone. Well then he said I owed him for the night and I'd have to 'work it off'. I knew what he meant, and I ran. I told August - he was also a foster kid but he's an adult now and helps at the soup kitchen. Anyway, he told me not to worry and that he'd take care of it." She chewed on her lip. "I knew better, you know. I'm not all stupid. I just…I was so hungry."

Mal's heart broke for Emma, and she looked over at her as they were at the only traffic light in town. "I'd never think you're stupid, Emma. You survived for three years on the streets by yourself at a very young age. No one can call you stupid."

Emma picked at the jeans she was wearing. "I knew what he wanted. I just…I couldn't do it." She said quietly. "Not again."

Mal continued driving. "You had to do that before?" She asked, cautiously. She knew the moment Emma looked at her that the conversation was over. She saw it in her eyes.

"No. How far do you live?" She asked, looking out the window again.

"Not far from here." She said softly. "Emma, you don't…"

"Not now. Please." She sighed. "I'll come to you if I do feel like talking. I'm just really tired and sore."

"I respect that." Mal said, pulling into the drive. "This is it." She said, smiling over at Emma. "Welcome home."

Emma hated those words but tried hard not to show it. Every foster parent said 'welcome home' but none of them made her feel at home. She hadn't had a home since she lost her mother at three. Even though her father didn't give her away until she was four, it was never the same after Lottie died. "Thanks." She mumbled, getting out of the car, wincing as she did so. "God damn this hurts like a bitch." She said, rubbing her ribs. "Sorry…" She looked down.

"Emma, it's okay. Yes, I'd like you to try and watch your language, but you're in pain. Come on, let's get you something small to eat and then you can take a pill and go to sleep."

Ingrid pulled up and got out of her car. "Emma, you don't look so hot." She came over and went to put her hand on Emma's forehead, but the girl flinched so hard she stepped backwards. "I'm sorry. I was only going to check your temperature. I should have said that before coming towards you like that."

Emma took some deep breaths. "I'm just used to being hit. It's my fault, not yours. I don't have a fever, I just hurt all over."

"She's going to eat something and take a pill so she can get some rest." Mal said, unlocking and opening her door. "Come on in."

The three walked in and Emma couldn't stop her groan when she saw the stairs. "Sorry. It's beautiful. I just…the steps."

"Your room is upstairs, however, I do have a study down here that has a pull-out sofa if you'd rather nap down here today."

"I can just sleep on the sofa. You don't have to pull it out or anything." Emma said, adjusting her backpack with a wince.

"Emma, if you want, you can hang up that backpack here in the hall. I do ask that you take your shoes off."

Emma slid off her shoes and, without making eye contact, put them in her backpack. "I want to keep it with me, please." She said, hugging it to herself.

"Of course. Tell you what, why don't you two go on in the kitchen, Ingrid knows where it is, and grab yourself something to eat and drink. I'll get the bed set up."

Emma followed Ingrid and sat at the table. "I'm not hungry. Can't I just take a damn pill and sleep?" She sighed, putting her head in her hands. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually this moody."

"You're not usually in this pain, dear." Ingrid said softly, grabbing a banana and pouring a glass of milk. "If you eat this and drink the milk, that should be enough. Emma, the thing is, if you take this pill with nothing in your stomach, you'll get sick and throwing up will do your aches and pains no good."

Emma sighed and took the banana. "Thanks." She took a bite and looked around. "Mal is a good person?" She asked, playing with the banana peel.

"She's a great person. I've known her since we were in kindergarten together." Ingrid answered, sitting down. "I know you don't know me; you don't have a reason in the world to trust me. In fact, you have more reasons not to trust me because of your past experiences. Asking you to do that is asking a lot of you, but I am asking that, Emma. This isn't Boston. We don't have a huge load of foster kids to keep track of. In fact, you are one of only six that I have. This is different; we're different."

Emma finished her banana as she listened to her. "I'm here, right?" She sighed. "I need a break, if I'm honest. I…I'm tired. I'm tired of…well everything. I'm fifteen and in three years, that will be my life. I know that, but until then…I want a break from it all."

"That doesn't have to be your future, but we can talk about that later. Right now, my main priority is your comfort. I know you said you don't have a fever, but it's very important we keep an eye on that, so we know that your infections are going away."

"Infections? I…I wasn't really listening at the hospital."

"Yes, a few of your slightly older wounds were infected. Emma…"

Emma shifted. "I was attacked." She said, keeping her eyes on the banana peel. "It happens if you can't get into a shelter in time. I tried, but it was already full when I got there. All the safe spots were taken, and I tried so hard to stay awake, but I couldn't. Next thing I know, someone is holding a knife to my back as another person ripped my backpack and my secondhand blanket from me. I made the mistake of begging to have my backpack back and they cut me." She wiped away some tears. "That's why I took the bike. I had to get away."

"Did you go to the police?" Ingrid asked and then mentally smacked herself. "Sorry, that was a stupid question."

Emma shook her head. "I quit trusting anyone a long time ago." Her eyes flicked to Ingrid and then back down again. "I don't even know why I'm trusting you."

"I'm glad you are, Emma." She wanted to ask her so many more questions, but she knew the girl was in pain. "Now, there are things I want to talk to you about, but not today. Today, I just want to know if you have any questions for me."

Emma grabbed another banana after taking her pill. "Will you really come check on me? I've never had a social worker see me more than once."

"Yes. I will be in either before the end of this week or next, and then at least once a month." Ingrid handed her a card. "You can call me anytime though if you need me." She locked eyes with Emma. "Day or night, Emma. I mean that."

Emma gave a nod, looking at the card. "Do you think Maleficent would let me use her phone if I needed to?"

"Yes." Ingrid said with a nod. "I know she will."

"Would you get mad if I made a list of questions for next time? I just can't think, but I know there's things I'll want to ask."

"Not at all, Emma. Even if you want to call me at 3 in the morning to make sure I'll answer, I won't get mad." Ingrid smiled softly. "My card has my email address too. Maleficent, and the library both have computers you could use if you feel more comfortable that way. Just please never think you're a bother."

Mal softly knocked at the entryway. "Can I come in or should I wait?"

"It's okay." Ingrid said with a smile. "Emma ate two bananas as I was telling her all the ways to contact me. I assured her you'd let her use your phone if she needed to."

"Oh yes of course I would." Maleficent said. "Which reminds me, when you're feeling up to it, we'll go down and get you a phone. I can add you to my family plan."

Emma's eyes grew wide. "You'll get me a phone?"

"You're fifteen, yes, I'd get you a phone." Mal said, leaning against the counter.

Emma shook her head in disbelief. "How did I get so lucky?"

Mal smiled softly. "I really do hope you feel that way, because I already know I'm lucky just to know you. Now, are you ready to lay down?"

Emma nodded. "I hate to be a bother, but is there any chance you have some leggings or sweatpants? Jeans aren't that comfortable when they're big."

"I put some in the room. Follow me." Maleficent took her to the study. "I know you're planning on sleeping, but feel free to read any book from the shelves or have the tv on in the background. There's a bathroom just across the hall."

Emma looked around and smiled softly. "It's nice and dark in here."

"I did that on purpose." Mal stated. "I figured you'd sleep better that way."

Emma went to go change from the jeans to the sweatpants and then came back in. "How long am I allowed to sleep for?"

"As long as you need to sweetheart, however, if you're not up in four hours, I may wake you to take another pill and eat something. You don't need to be in pain, you know."

"I know, but I don't want to rely on anything but myself." Emma said, getting into the sofa bed. "This is so comfortable."

Mal stroked her forehead. "Then you sleep. If you need anything, call for me." The woman chuckled as she realized Emma was already asleep. She led Ingrid out and closed the door.

Ingrid smiled softly at Mal as the former pulled her closer. "Mal, we can't…"

"Ingrid, stop fighting it." Mal said, kissing her softly. "Your boss said it's 'slightly frowned upon', not something that would risk your job."

Ingrid sighed but kissed her back before pulling away. "That girl in there changing is placing all her trust in us and I've made her promises that I can only keep if I don't get fired. She's just one of six that I made those promises to."

Maleficent sighed but nodded. "I know, and I don't want you to risk anything, but you're the one who asked me to take Emma when we planned on finally being together. I want Emma, don't get me wrong, but we really need to figure out…"

"I know we do, and we will. I'm sorry, Mal. I don't mean to hurt you."

"I know you don't. You care so much about these kids and that's why you're special to me."

"Imagine what Cora would say if she was still alive." Ingrid chuckled.

"If she were still alive, you and I wouldn't have worked so much together to reconnect." Mal then sighed. "But I miss her like crazy. Her girls do too, though Regina admitted she can't actually remember many details."

Ingrid looked down. "Those girls went through the hardest thing in their life, and you were there for them through it all. Zelena is doing a great job with Regina, Mal."

"I know that. She's wonderful; they both are. I see Emma though and I can't help but thank god that Zelena and Regina didn't end up alone."

Ingrid gave a nod. "Alone in Boston." She shook her head. "I don't understand how she got so lost."

"Well, you found her, Ingrid and brought her to me. I'll show her the love and caring she probably hasn't seen since her mother died."

"And that's why I knew you were the perfect match for her."