Hi, there's another new chapter today. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 5 – A New Case

"This is the third time I've woken up here," Natalia muttered, opening her eyes. She was lying in her bed in the room at Granny's B . After Henry had talked to her for a long time about his family yesterday, she finally sent him home. After all, he had school today and had to get up early. She, on the other hand, could sleep in since she had neither work nor a job.

Suddenly she remembered that she had sent a message to Emma after Henry had left. She wanted to meet the sheriff this morning and talk to her. She still didn't believe that she was her mother, but by now Natalia had to admit that there was something wrong in this town and it was quite possible that magic was going on here. She had read too many fantasy books to be completely in denial.

She got up calmly, took a long shower and got dressed. Then she went down to the diner and sat down in her now familiar place. Ruby joined her immediately.

"How are you today? I heard you had a car accident."

Natalia stared at her a little too long and realized that the waitres was waiting for an answer from her. But somehow she couldn't shake the thought that Ruby was the bad wolf and Little Red Riding Hood in one. This was a completely different fairy tale than the one she knew.

"Luckily I'm fine, I just have a slight headache. But my car is probably completely wrecked," Natalia replied. "But until the sheriff releases the closure at the border, I'm stuck here."

"Yes, David was here yesterday and informed us. It's getting to be a habit." Ruby rolled her eyes. "We're not getting out of here without magic beans or Hook's ship. What can I get you for breakfast?"

"Magic beans? Hook's ship?"

"Oh yeah, I keep forgetting you're new. Just ask Henry. He'll explain it to you."

"Yeah, he still has to do that for a lot of things," Natalia said with a smile. "I'll take the coffee and the scrambled eggs."

"Coming right up," Ruby warbled and ran back to the counter.

Natalia, who had brought a book with her this time, put it on the table and began to read. Emma was due any minute, as they had agreed to meet for breakfast.

Ruby came with her order, wished her a good appetite, and went to attend to the other guests. Natalia ate her scrambled eggs and sipped her coffee.

After half an hour she looked at her watch. Emma was late, but she would wait for her. She had nothing else to do. Things would only get busy when she finished her book. And by her calculations, that would be in another two hours. So Emma still had a big window of time to show up.

Despite the distraction of reading, she kept tapping her foot. Ruby came to her seat and filled her up. "Nervous?"

Natalia looked up. "No, no. The book is just very exciting," she talked herself out of it.

"Yeah, I think so," Ruby replied with a wink and went to the next table.

After another half hour, during which she made much faster progress with her book than she had expected, Emma entered the restaurant and sat down next to Natalia.

"I'm so sorry," Emma apologized breathlessly.

"No problem," Natalia reassured her, "I had my book with me this time." With that, she closed it and put it aside. "Was there an emergency?"

"Yes, something like that. We had a missing persons report on top of the town line problem."

"A missing persons report?" Natalia leaned across the table, interested.

"Yes. A young woman disappeared. She didn't come home in the evening and no one has seen her for twelve hours."

"But don't the police get involved after twenty-four hours?" Natalia asked. "I know that from my many mystery novels," she added when she saw Emma's questioning look.

"Yes, actually I do. But you've already noticed that things are a little different in Storybrooke. And since the town borders don't let anyone through, we have a different way of dealing with this case."

Natalia nodded. "Are there any leads yet?"

"No, unfortunately not. We've searched her apartment, looked for her car, and visited her relatives. David wants to visit her friends now."

"Doesn't he need support? We can reschedule," Natalia offered.

Emma shook her head. "No, I'll take the time. David can do it on his own and as soon as there's any news he'll call me."

Natalia nodded and searched for a new topic. There was much to talk about. An infinite number of topics, but where to start?

"This morning Whales gave me this." Emma put an envelope on the table.

"Are these the test results?" Natalia asked and Emma nodded. "You haven't opened them yet."

"No, these are your results and I want you to see them first."

Hesitantly, Natalia grabbed the envelope and opened it.

"I don't care what it says. Nothing will change for you if you don't want it to. But I want you to know that Killian and I are here for you and will take care of you," Emma said quietly.

Natalia could only nod and pulled out the sheet of paper. She unfolded it carefully and scanned the lines. When she reached the percentage, her heart pounded and her breath caught. "This can't be right."

Emma looked at her expectantly.

Once Natalia got over her initial shock, she handed the sheet of paper to her counterpart. "So I was right," she replied.

"I don't understand this. I have a family. I had wonderful parents. I don't remember any of this. Not of you, not of your husband. Not of anyone."

Emma folded the results and placed them on the table. "That's understandable. You were very young when the stranger took you. You can't remember anything. And I'm glad that you had parents who loved you." Emma looked at her sadly.

"I did. And I can't understand why they didn't tell me the truth." Natalia held back tears and lowered her eyes.

"They did it, because they loved you as their own daughter, and that's more than I could ever ask. But I hope we can find time for each other. I want to know more about you and your life, and I know Killian does too."

Natalia thought that Emma seemed quite calm. She, on the other hand, was confused, and only her survival instincts were guiding her. First yesterday's demonstration of the evil queen's magic, and now this result, which scientifically proved that she was the daughter of a woman not much older than herself and the famous Captain Hook.

"Is it true that your husband is Captain Hook?" she asked quietly. She had a thousand questions, but this was the only one that came out of her mouth.

"Yes, well, we tend to call him Killian, and he's changed since we met and shed his evil side. Although he's never sworn off rum. Which, between you and me, is a good thing." Emma was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. "Sorry, I have to take this."

Emma made a quick call and when she hung up, she grabbed her red leather jacket that was lying on the seat next to her. "It's David. He needs my help with an interrogation."

"Of course, go ahead. We've got time. I'm stuck here until the border opens." Natalia was glad that they were interrupted. She was still too shaken by the outcome she had just learned and needed to sort it out with herself first.

"I'm really sorry." With that, Emma disappeared through the door.

Natalia grabbed her book and stood up as well. She looked at the few pages she had left to read and was annoyed that she had only taken this book with her.

Just before she reached the corridor, a taller figure stood in her way. "Hey," she complained, looking up.

"Sorry, but you were so lost in thought that I had to get your attention," James replied, grinning mischievously at her.

"Oh, James. It's you. I was scared."

"That was the point. What was it that you thought of? Was it the book? Or was it your new relationship with the Sheriff?"

"Have you heard about that? Of course, I'd forgotten that this is a small town full of gossips," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

"That's the way it is, you just have to use it to your advantage," James said, shrugging his shoulders. "But you didn't answer my question?"

"Oh, I don't want to think about the second one right now, and the first one won't be a distraction for much longer, I'm afraid. I've almost finished reading it and haven't packed a new one," Natalia complained.

"Why don't you go to the library? It's a wonderful place in town. I found some scientific papers there myself."

"There's a library here?" she asked hopefully, looking at him with wide eyes.

"Yes, a certain Belle is the librarian, I'm sure she'll show you around and help you find suitable reading material. Of course, I can recommend a few books myself," he said with a wink. "The library is in that building with the big clock tower at the crossing."

"Yes, I know it. Thank you very much. I'll go there now." Natalia smiled at him. James took a step to the side and indicated a slight bow.

"At your service, ma'am."

Natalia disappeared upstairs, grabbed her jacket and bag from her room and ran back downstairs. This time she took the back door, walked around the house and stood in front of the street. It took her a moment to get her bearings, but it wasn't difficult since the large clock tower could be seen from afar. A short walk and she was standing in front of the large double doors. A large sign saying "Open" hung in front of them, and Natalia bravely entered the library.

She immediately smelled the unique scent of the old books, felt the silence, and suddenly she felt a peaceful calm. That's why she loved places like this. There were libraries and bookstores all over the world, and she was always drawn to them. They made her feel safe.

A brown-haired woman stood behind the counter, sorting books onto a small cart. When Natalia approached, she looked up and put the book aside. "Hello, we haven't met. I'm Belle and you must be Natalia."

"Yes, that is right. Pretty convenient if you're the new girl. Everyone already knows you."

"I felt the same way. It'll wear off in time. What can I do for you?" she asked friendly.

Natalia picked up her nearly finished book. "I'm running out of reading material and wanted to see if I could find something here."

Belle nodded. "You're welcome, do that. If you don't find what you're looking for, let me know. You'll find the fantasy section over there, and the mystery and thriller books on the shelf in front. To the right are all the science books. There are also the biographies. In the back are the language books and on the right are the history books. Just to get you started."

Natalia thanked her and headed straight for the fantasy shelves. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that behind them was a small sitting area with a sofa, side tables and armchairs. Perfect. This was how she would spend the day. She couldn't remember when she used to just read all day. There had been too much work lately, and even the few pages in the evening had to be skipped sometimes. Today would be different.

Full of anticipation, she leafed through the books. Among the fairy and elf books, there were also the fairy tale books she knew from her childhood. A little revision would do her good, she thought. Especially considering where she had ended up.

Everyone here was probably a fairy tale character, and her knowledge of fairy tales was rusty.

She took the fairy tale book from the shelf and went back to Belle.

"Is it okay if I read there for a few hours?" Natalia pointed to the chair.

"Of course it is. That's what it's there for. But unfortunately no one uses this corner. I'm the only one who sits there. All the better that you can use it now, too. I'll bring you a cup of tea and then I'll join you. I also have some books to read.

Natalia nodded and walked over to the comfortable brown leather chair, put down her jacket and bag and sat down. There was a small stool in front of the chair, on which she rested her legs and opened the book.

She had already reached the second fairy tale when Belle came in with a tray. She placed two teacups and a teapot on the table.

With a small smile, Natalia noticed that Belle's cup had taken a small knock and a small piece had broken off at the top. Just like in the tale of Beauty and the Beast. Only somehow the Brothers Grimm had forgotten that Rumpelstiltskin was also the Beast. Probably poorly researched.

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