Quarantine

Fernando asked for a oneshot of Neal having chicken pox and Emma not being allowed near him.

"Oh my goodness thank goodness you're here." Snow said, practically pulling her daughter into the apartment. Emma could hear Neal crying in the living room which was very unusual. He was normally a very happy child.

"Woh there! What's the rush?" Emma asked, a little alarmed.

"We found out why Neal's not been feeling well lately. He's got chicken pox. It's not something we had in the Enchanted Forest and Mary Margaret didn't have children. If a child in her class had them their parents treated them, not her. So I only have a little info to go on for helping him. What helped you when you got them?" Snow asked her.

"Aww, poor little guy. Don't worry buddy! Emmy's here! I'll come make you feel better."

"Emmy!" Neal cried. Emma went to go through.

"Wait! You've forgotten to tell me what helped you!"

"Oh…well whenever kids in my home got them there was always talk about camomile lotion." Emma told her. Snow narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Yes…but what about when you got them Emma?" She asked.

"Um…I've never had them."

"Ok. Out." Snow said, beginning to usher her daughter back out of the apartment.

"What?" Emma asked, bewildered. "Come on mom, Neal wants me. I can't leave him crying for me like that." Emma said, heartbroken. She and Neal had always been close. She hated the idea of him crying for and she not being there.

"He'll live. I'm sorry Emma but it's just too risky for you to catch chicken pox now." Snow said, blocking the door so Emma couldn't come back in. "Charming!" Snow called. "No need to feel guilty about leaving now. I have a very important job for you." Emma faintly heard Charming say something to her brother about not scratching before he came out into the hall.

"What can I do?" He asked eagerly.

"You can take our firstborn down to the station and make sure she doesn't come back to this house until Neal's better. Emma's never had chicken pox."

"Ahh I see." He said, squeezing past his wife out into the corridor. "Come on then Emma, let's go."

"Wait hold on!" Emma said, flapping her dad's hand away from her shoulders. "If there is no chicken pox in the Enchanted Forest then you guys have never had it either. How come you're not being banished from being near him?"

"Our cursed selves both had chicken pox memories. We don't know if that will help things. Even if it doesn't we have to take the risk as his parents. You don't. Now go have a good time at the station." Snow told her.

"Come on, he wants me!" Emma complained as her dad led her away. But her pleas fell on death ears as her dad escorted her to the station.

Emma was ready to throw something at her dad by midday. He seemed to be refusing to take his eyes off her. But then someone came into the office.

"I need to handle that." He said, getting up. "I'll be back in a few minutes. It's probably just Mrs Sandal again asking about her housing situation. Don't move." Emma rolled her eyes as her dad left to deal with the situation out front. He had forgotten she had the keys to the back exit. Slowly, she slipped out.

A couple of minutes later, Charming came back into their workspace. He saw Emma was missing and the back door was slightly ajar. He put two and two together and quickly phoned Snow. "Hey honey…yup, she got out. Expect her in a few minutes."

Emma sneaked down the corridor towards her parents' apartment. She quietly got her keys out.

"Don't worry buddy." She whispered. "Emmy's here." Emma carefully turned her keys in the lock. Opened the door and…nearly had a heart attack. "Jeez mom!" Emma cried, clutching her chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Emma Swan." Snow said sternly. "What did we say about you not being here?"

"I just wanted to see my little brother." Emma said, looking down sheepishly.

"Emma. I know you're concerned but I won't risk your health. Now, march yourself back to the station." Snow told her.

"Oh alright." Emma grumbled.

"Wait." Snow told her. Emma turned around and saw her mom's hand extended. "Keys."

"What?" Emma asked, appalled.

"You heard. You can have them back when Neal's better."

"Fine. Separate siblings." Emma grumbled, putting her keys into Snow's hand.

"You can reunite in a week or two." Snow sighed. "I'll come over in a few days for a catch up."

"Whatever." Emma grumbled, slumping back down the corridor. Snow chuckled as she closed the door. It was nice that Emma and Neal got along so well. Even if it did lead to Emma risking her health.