Chapter 9: Bail

Walking down the sidewalk, Aliyah was lost in her own world. She was having dreams, dreams she hadn't had in a long time. They all started the night both Emma and she decided to stay in StoryBrooke. The first dreams were faint, but the last few, were strong. Aliyah knew they would get stronger the longer the two stayed and maybe, turn into reality when the curse breaks.

"Hey!"

Jolting back to reality, Aliyah stopped and waited for Emma to catch up. "Hey," she responded questionably.

"I spoke to Henry's teacher Mary Margret. She told me where Henry's doctor is. I was wanting to go talk to him. Want to come with?"

Aliyah shook her head, scrunching her lips in a frown. "Not really. Had my fair share of shrinks."

Emma frowned, "really? Even if it's for Henry?"

"Is it for Henry's sake or yours?"

Emma sighed while watching Aliyah pick at her drawing pad and small art bag. Aliyah didn't wait for the answer and decided to start walking.

Emma walked slowly behind her, "I guess its part mine and part Henry's."

Aliyah glanced at her. "Hmm, he is getting to you, isn't he?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you didn't care, you wouldn't be sticking around and taking an interest in his wellbeing."

"Well, the Mayor threatening me has a lot to do with it." Emma looked at where they were and turned back to Aliyah, "you sure you don't want to come? You would know how to get around his questions."

"No, I'm good."

"Fine." Emma sighed heading off towards Henry's doctor.

Aliyah watched, shaking her head, and headed down to a bench she spotted yesterday.

Sitting down, Aliyah got comfortable, placing her bag wide open next to her. She rotated her pad, landscape then portrait, trying to decide where she should begin. Stopping, Aliyah closed her eyes, sighed, then slowly began. Her hand moved lightly and swiftly across the thick paper. She opened her eyes, already lost in her mind and seeing the image coming to life. Aliyah quickly flipped the page and continued on with her next image never missing a beat. Her hands already covered in smeared charcoal and knew very well, her face would be covered within the next drawing.

Absorbed in her work, Aliyah wasn't paying attention to her surroundings, until her light was blocked. Letting out a low growl, she looked up irritated until she saw Henry. Her growling irritated face relaxed and was replaced with a smile.

"Hey kid." She acknowledged, "What's up?"

"Henry's mom came by and told him Emma was arrested." A woman behind Henry said.

Aliyah rolled her eyes "Right. Why wouldn't she." she stated then looked at the woman. Aliyah sucked in a breath, then cleared her throat.

"Sorry, I'm Mary Margret, Henry's teacher." Mary Margret said mistaken the blank look Aliyah gave her.

"Aliyah".

Henry looked back and forth between the two before breaking the silence. "We were going to bust her out. Want to come with?"

"Um, okay." Aliyah looked around her. "Give me a sec to pick up." She gathered her pencils and erasers placing them in her small art bag. Henry glanced over at the open pad before Aliyah quickly flipped it over. "Ready." She stated allowing Henry to lead the way while She walked beside Mary Margret.

The trip to the sheriff office was quiet, but it didn't stop Mary Margret from glancing at Aliyah. Aliyah was getting nervous. She could feel her eyes on her. She finally sighed and looked over at Henry's teacher.

"Are you wanting to say something?" she snapped immediately feeling bad.

"Sorry," Mary Margret answered. "It's just…... have we met? You look familiar."

Aliyah swallowed. "Uh… no…."

Henry stopped watching the exchange between the two with interest.

"Are you sure? Ruby was right, you seem so familiar." Mary Margret asked studying her.

Aliyah shrugged, "like I told her, there are parts of my memories that are blank." Before anymore was passed between them, she looked at Henry. "Are we almost there?"

He nodded in response and ran ahead of them. Aliyah looked at Mary Margret before following glad Henry was able to put the uncomfortable conversation to rest…. at least at the moment. She had the feeling this will come back again. Her thought was put to rest when they reached the station.

"Including the police force?" Aliyah heard grabbing the closing door, following Henry and Mary Margret inside.

"HEY!" Henry said causing Emma and Graham to notice the three.

"Henry! Henry, what are you doing here?" Graham asked, glancing at Aliyah and Mary Margret.

"His mother told him what happened." Mary Margret answered for them.

"Of course, she did!" Emma remarked then looked down at Henry. "I don't know what she said—"

"You're a genius!"

Aliyah failing miserably to hide her laughter. Graham and Mary Margret confused while Emma gave her an annoyed look.

Emma looked back at Henry, "What?"

"I know what you were up to." Aliyah watched the confusion show on Emma's face. "You were gathering intel." Henry leaned into Emma "For "Operation Cobra"." He whispered.

"I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost..." Graham looked at the other adults in the room.

"That's okay sheriff," Aliyah said. "Nothing to worry about. Could you tell me what Emma's bail is please?"

"No need, Ms. Blanchard gonna bail her out." Henry remarked looking at his teacher.

"Why would you do that for a total stranger?" "You are? Why?" Emma and Aliyah asked at the same time.

Mary Margret shrugged, "I-uh—trust you."

Emma looked at Graham "Well, if you could uncuff me..." she extended her hands to him, "...I have something to do."

Aliyah watched Graham uncuff Emma and noticed the look on her sister's face. It was a look Aliyah knew too well and without a second thought Emma marched by them. Aliyah looked at those in the room, before heading out to follow her sister.

"Where are you going?"

"Where do you think?"

Aliyah sighed grabbing Emma's arm, "and what are you planning on doing?"

Emma looked around and spotted an open maintenance shed. She walked over and grabbed the chainsaw.

Aliyah's eyes went wide, "please tell me you are not doing anything stupid."

"I'm going to do a little trimming."

"Emma!" Aliyah rubbed her hands on her face, "Mary Margret just bailed you out. Are you trying to make people broke?"

"You don't have to come with me."

Aliyah ran in front of Emma. "You know she is the Mayor, right? The more you push her buttons, the more she will push yours." Emma ignored her, shoving past her. Aliyah sighed, "you know, if you two continue down this road, you are not only hurting each other, but Henry as well." She watched as Emma stopped and glanced at her. "He is and will continue to be caught in the middle. Just don't hurt him during this process." Aliyah took one more look at Emma before Emma walked away, hearing the chainsaw in the distance.