You can only run so long

A guest asked for a oneshot of an adult Neal going to New York to find Emma and Henry (who left at the end of season 3). He wants to find her because he grew up seeing how much his parents missed them.

It wasn't an unusual thing, just a knock at the door. Sure, the person seemed to be quite insistent Emma opened the door but most people in New York were in a rush.

"Alright, alright, I'm here!" Emma opened the door to find a young man staring at her. He seemed to be relieved, but nervous at the same time. "Can I help you?"

"It's really you." He croaked back. Emma was confused, was she meant to know this guy? He did seem a little familiar…

"Listen I'm not in the mood for crazy today…" Emma tried to shut the door, but the man stopped her with his foot.

"No, don't! Emma please just let me explain…"

"How do you know my name?" Emma demanded. She glanced to the left and saw her gun. If needed she could make a quick dash. The man scrambled around his pocket. He pulled out a picture and handed it to Emma. She looked at it, it was her, years ago. Back in Storybrooke before she left, holding her little brother.

"I know your name because we're siblings, Emma." Emma nearly collapsed. That's why he looked so familiar. He was the perfect blend of their parents.

"Neal?" She gasped. He nodded. Emma opened the door. "Come in…how did you find me?" Neal shrugged as he came and sat down on one of the chairs.

"Last time you left it was New York you came to. I figured this is where you'd be. I came straight here and looked your name up in the phonebook. It led me right to you."

"Oh." Emma said, not quite sure what else to say. "You must be what, twenty two now?" Neal nodded.

"And three months. What about Henry? I'm guessing he doesn't live with you anymore?" Emma smiled, shaking her head.

"No, he's got his own life now. A wife and two boys of his own. Want to see some pictures of your great nephews?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. But before we do, are you going to mention our parents?" Emma was hoping against all odds that he wouldn't bring them up. It was a hard subject. She felt awful every day for leaving and never contacting them. But it was too hard with Neal there. It was just too painful seeing them give him the love they never got to give her. Emma sighed.

"How are they?" She asked.

"They're alright. From what I've been told they were never the same after you guys left. It tore a hole in them that I could never fill." Emma could hear the bitter undertones in his voice. She had never thought of the effect her leaving would do to him.

"Listen, I never meant to hurt any of you…but I couldn't stay. I'm sure mom and dad understand…"

"Not really." Neal interrupted. "They've spent the last twenty two years wishing they could change things. Wishing you were home."

"It's too late now, Neal." Emma told him. "There's too much pain there for all of us. It can't be fixed." Neal sighed in frustration.

"They warned me you'd be like this. They told me you had walls and you would be reluctant to let them down. To let people in. I was stupid enough to think I stood a chance." Neal got up. "Sorry for wasting your time. I'll go home now. I'll tell them they're great grandparents. That's at least something…

"Wait." Emma said, already not sure if this was a good idea or not. "I've got a couple of weeks' vacation coming up. I've not got anywhere booked. Maybe I could drop by?" Neal's face broke into a massive grin. He resisted the urge to pick his sister up and spin her round.

"Yeah, they'll like that. I'll see you in a couple of weeks then?" Emma nodded.

"See you then." Neal happily left the apartment. As soon as he was out of the building he called them.

"Hey mom. Guess who's coming home…"