What are aunts for
BookWorm012 asked for a oneshot of Emma and Red bonding.
"Em-ma…" Red said slowly, gently shaking Emma's shoulder.
"What, what's going on?" Emma mumbled, shooting up in the booth. Red smiled.
"Little tired are we?" She asked, sliding a mug of coffee in front of her. Emma nodded glumly.
"Spat of break ins, I was on a stakeout all night. Dad's been up all night too with Neal so I said I'd cover him." Emma said sleepily before taking a large gulp of coffee.
"Your dad just let you cover for him?" Red asked, suspicious. She knew Snow and Charming wouldn't want Emma to exhaust herself. Emma looked a little sheepish.
"He didn't know I was up all night." She admitted. "The stakeout was my idea. I thought I'd be off today and able to sleep but hey, these things happen." Red squeezed her shoulder sympathetically.
"So…how you coping with being a big sister?" She asked her. Emma shrugged.
"He's cute." Red smiled.
"You know that's not what I meant." Red pushed. Emma might be an adult, but she took her responsibilities as godmother very seriously. Emma looked down.
"It's strange." She told her. "I just met them, got to know them as my parents, and now they have to focus on Neal. It's strange." She told Red.
"Emma, you know your parents still want to be your parents, right? Just because Neal's here now doesn't mean you matter any less."
"Yeah I know that. But it's just going to take some getting used to." Red took the mug away from Emma. "Uh, Red, if I'm going to be able to even vaguely focus today I'm going to need that back."
"You're not going to need to focus today." Red told her. "You're going to go upstairs and sleep."
"And just leave the town without any police for the day?" Emma pointed out.
"No, of course not. I'll take care of everything today. Your parents trusted me enough to do this kind of stuff back home, I'm sure I can handle it here." Emma smiled gratefully.
"Thanks Red. I owe you one." Emma said, getting up from the booth and heading for the stairs.
"No problem, it's what aunts are for…unfortunately they're also for calling your mother since your father is sleeping and letting her know you're here and to pick you up later." Emma grimaced.
"Is that necessary?" She asked. Red nodded.
"Very. They wouldn't have let you work today if they knew you were up all night too. Just let her give you a little lecture, then she'll take care of you and I think you could use some pampering." Red said with a smile. Emma knew whatever she said Red was going to call Snow so decided just to enjoy the sleep before her lecture.