Summary: Emma has no agency in her life, feeling helpless she finds peace in helping Ashley - also this chapter Mulan and Els meet and Miss Blanchard makes a decision
Mr Hopper adjusted his glasses, averting his eyes from Principle Mills, who seemed to enjoy watching him squirm. Hands on her hips with a look of distain, she stood in the doorway of his classroom, while he anxiously read through the incident report in shock.
"Ah Principle Mills, there must be some mistake, you're the one who told me to take the kids out to the forest that day, this report doesn't even mention you"
"Excuse me, that class was under your supervision, you're the one who lost the children, you're lucky they made it out alive"
"Right but I..."
He stuttered before sighing and nodding his head the look in the principles eyes was unwavering, as she held perfect composure. Despite knowing very well, she had been the one that insisted he move the field trip to an earlier day. The intense way in which she was able to dispute what he knew to be true, without hesitation, terrified him.
"Principle Mills don't you feel that..."
"No, my conscious is clear, whatever's on your mind, is your problem"
Elsa and Emma walked down the hall from the lunchroom towards their usual spot in the courtyard, when Emma noticed this exchange. Regina turned her head looking down the hall with her usual glare, instinctively Emma ducked, hiding just around the corner.
"Emma, what are you doing?"
"Elsa come on, let's go the other way, Principle sees me I'll get detention again"
"Seriously you're not even doing anything wrong"
"She'll find something, trust me"
"Fine, but this means we have to cut through the basketball courts"
"Please Elsa"
Emma smiled while Elsa rolled her eyes as they turned heading in the opposite direction, Elsa was trying her hardest to suck the ice from her slushie up the plastic straw, but it was so cold the ice couldn't soften. However fruitless, Elsa continued solely focused on the frozen beverage, while they walked past the lockers towards the exit.
"How can you drink that in this weather?"
Emma asked, as the cold breeze sent a shiver up her spine when they walked out the double doors, heading towards a packed courtyard with multiple groups, engaging in various sports.
"It delicious"
Shrugging as they walked around the corner a volleyball flew through the air, smacking Elsa right on the forehead, causing her to drop her drink on the ground sending ice in all directions.
"I swear, these jocks are so annoying, act like they own the yard"
Running towards them now, with hands outstretched mumbling an apology while out of breath, to only be met by a glare from Emma.
"Can you boys, watch where you are throwing this thing"
Elsa scoffed, while looking down at her soaked jeans, continuing to mumble to herself in a frustrated tone about having to do the washing again. Bending down Elsa picked up the ball now coated in sticky ice from her slushie, just as the persons face came into view, she looked up. Jogging towards them with a wide smile, grey beanie covering her long black hair, was Mulan.
"Nice catch"
Mulan looked towards Elsa, who just stared blankly back still holding the ball in her hands. After a moment with no response, Emma looked at Elsa frowning in confusion, her friend seemed frozen.
"Ughh, don't mind her, she's fine"
Emma took the ball from Elsa's hands, giving it to Mulan, who sheepishly smiled before stepping backwards, without taking her eyes off Elsa.
"Sorry I" Elsa mumbled realising she's been starring, Mulan grinned playing with the ball in her hands.
"I'm Mulan, sorry about your drink… I hope it didn't hit you to hard"
Elsa just nodded still kind of starring and smiling at her with adoration but failed to use her words.
"Ok, thanks for the ball, I guess I'll see you around" Mulan awkwardly replied, before jogging away.
"Bye" Elsa said more to herself, while Mulan was already way out of hearing distance.
"Ok, what the hell was that about"?
Emma gave Elsa a scrutinised look as they made their way over to the a table in the courtyard, where Red and Peter sat atop making out. Giggling as they sat down, Emma opened up a brown paper bag with a small sandwich, about to eat when Peter looked up.
"What took you guys so long?"
"Elsa got hit in the head with a volleyball"
"And Emma's afraid of the Principle"
"Am not, she has some sort of vendetta against me, I'm just being precautious"
Peter and Ruby laughed at them both, while they all sat on old picnic table pushed up against the back of the schoolyard. It was their favourite place, one of the few spots to get any sun, far enough away from the rest of the commotion of the yard.
"Maybe it's because you started a fight your first day and got lost in the woods on your second, not a good record" Peter
"Hey, that wasn't Emma's fault" Elsa
"Have you seen Killian since last week?" Red
"No, he remains a mystery" Emma
"A hot mystery" Red said, with a smirk
"The kind that disappears into the shadows, without a word" Emma
"He is the bruting type"
Peter explained before, taking Red's hand they stood up from the table quietly chattering and giggling to themselves.
"Why don't you find him, must be somewhere around here" Elsa
"I can't"
"You can"
"Elsa, he thinks where all fairytale characters and I'm some kind of chosen one, here to fight the evil queen"
"Right, there is that"
"Come on, there must be something else we can talk about"
"Yes, the fact the Elsa is bailing on me"
Red leaned over to them rejoining the conversation her tone sarcastic, but her smile didn't reach her eyes as she was clearly annoyed.
"I'm grounded" Elsa
"Where are you supposed to be going"? Emma
"Saturday night in Storybrooke, only place open other than Granny's, the movie theatre"
"Oh, sounds fun"
"There playing a special screening of my favourite movie, can't you just explain to your aunt, this is important"
Elsa didn't respond simply giving Red a longing glare, as if she should know better and they both went silent.
"Is your aunt strict"? Emma
"Sort off, most days I don't even see her, she barely leaves her room"
"Really, that must be hard on you"
"My mum used to say, Aunt Ingrid was too scared to live"
The group fell silent looking solemnly out to the rest of the kids in the yard going about their day, the chatter and laughter became louder.
Steam and water spurted out of the coffee machine, but no actual coffee was present, the ten-year-old drip coffee filter had seen better days. Miss Blanchard sighed desperately craving the warm pick me up to get her through the rest of this day. Lifting her wrist, she glanced at her watch, then gasped noticing time, quickly walking out of the staff room, to the main office. Only to arrive and find that Principle Mills was otherwise occupied, talking with someone rather loudly in her office, one name caught her attention.
"Emma can stay with us, it will be fine" Josie Tilman said from behind the closed door.
"I'm just trying to help, do you really want a legal battle, after all you've been through"
Principle Mills got up from her desk walking over to Josie a manipulative smile, across her red lips.
"No, but it shouldn't be that much trouble, she's a nice girl, I…"
"A nice girl thats what you think, do you know how many homes Emma has had in her short life?"
"No, I…"
"Ten, ten homes she either ran from or was kicked out of, trust me you don't want the kind of trouble this girl leaves in her wake"
"I wasn't aware"
Josie's tone changed as Regina stepped closer concern in her eyes, she sat in the chair next to Josie reaching for her hand, as if offering some comfort.
"Well, nobody wants trouble I assure you, but with everything that's happened, you can't expect me not to report it"
"No please, they won't just remove Emma from our home, but possibly Nicholas and Ava"
"Then you see my concern, is it worth risking your family after everything you've been through, for her"
"No"
"Then, you know what to do"
"Right, I'll get in contact with the social worker"
Miss Blanchard heart sunk she could feel her, just as the door opened and Josie walked out, Miss Blanchard couldn't help but scowl at her as she walked out into the hall.
"Miss Blanchard, what are doing here"?
Regina stood in the doorway to her office a spiteful smile and her face, noticing her obvious discomfort with what she just overheard.
"Sorry Principle Mills I just needed the donations, for the book drive"
"Where no longer running that program"
"Oh, why wasn't I told"
"These decisions don't involve you, now leave"
Principle Mills slammed her door shut leaving Miss Blanchard alone in the office, she felt her face burn red hot, frustrated by the lack of agency she had in her life.
Emma sighed her eyes tired as she sat at her desk, her thoughts distant as her teacher went through equations on the chalkboard. Having been resigned to sleeping on the couch of her foster home, after their children returned home, she was exhausted. It was a big couch, but it had seen better days with lumps and an odd sent of sandalwood and mint, the whole house had this smell. It wasn't familiar to Emma, but she couldn't help but notice the other members of the house, all had this sent. As her mind wondered her eyes also did, then she caught sight of something strange in the bushes outside.
"Ugh, can I be excused"
This abrupt question as Emma stood up, already begging to walk out the door gave her teacher pause stuttering a little before responding.
"You need the bathroom"?
"Yeah"
"Ok, just be quick"
"Sure"
As soon as Emma was clear of the classroom, she ran outside towards the fence surrounding the school, behind some large tress. At the back was a little-known area where students would be able to smoke, make out or even sneak in and more importantly off campus.
"Who's there"?
"It's me"
"Oh, Emma I was just…"
Ashley stood upward abruptly having stuffed a large roll of cash into a her bag, she placed into the bush behind her.
"Ditching class, same"
"I just, I don't see the point, the way everyone treats me, like they know what's best or have any idea what I'm going through"
"Don't let them define you"
"Thanks, but it's too late, my stepmother has made arrangements, I don't see how I can do this alone"
Footsteps approached quickly and the girls had no time to hide, before Miss Blanchard emerged from the trees with a bewildered expression.
"What's going on"?
"Ugh, Emma was just helping me, I needed some air"
"Well, you need to get back to class now"
"Right, sorry Miss"
Pointing back towards the hall Miss Blanchard waited for them to walk ahead of her, eyeing them suspiciously as they passed. Following behind as they walked back into the halls Miss Blanchard hesitated, her mouth twitched, but she couldn't hold in her questions.
"I haven't seen you much, how are you settling in"?
"Ok"
Emma felt a shiver up her spine confused by this interaction, the concerned tone Miss Blanchard had, while catching up to Emma as they walked.
"I never asked you, the day you came to Storybrooke, when you were out in the rain, what where you doing at the bus stop"?
"I was… leaving"
"Right, do you still want to leave"?
"It doesn't matter, what I want"
The bell rung then, and the halls burst with people and chatter all heading to their next class, Emma quickly walked away following Ashley, leaving Miss Blanchard behind, lost in the crowd.
"Wait up, where are you going"? Emma
"Library, it's my only solitude" Ashley
"From this school"
"It's not the school, the people in it, you've had a run in with them yourself, my stepsisters"
"Oh, you live with them, and they treat you like that"?
Ashley nodded, tears welling in her eyes before she looked down at her belly and smiled, dreaming of the changes to come.
"I just don't think, I can do this"
"But you want to"
"Yes"
Ashley eyes welled up about to burst with tears, but there was nothing left in her, having cried herself to sleep every night.
"All a kid wants is a family, if you want be that you should be given the chance to try"
"Thanks, no one believes in me"
The two continued to talk making their way into the library, which had become empty with students heading out. Avoiding Ashley and Emma as they made their way through the double doors, the same desks used for detention, just behind that many rows of bookshelves and a few computers towards the back of the room.
"I found it, was just mislabelled in the back" Miss French said walking out of her office excitedly, walking over to the back of the library, with an old newspaper article in the hand.
"What" Killian face was confused for a moment, quickly grabbing the paper. "Great, this what I needed"
Emma could barely see his face hidden behind a stack of large books he looked up as Miss French with appreciation.
"I can't believe you found it"
"Wasn't that hard"
"Found what?" Emma
Killian and Emma stared at each other for a moment eventually smiling, the first time they'd seen each other, since getting lost in the woods. Emma felt a sense of longing, but this only displayed itself in a frown on her face, as they approached.
"Hook"
"Swan"
"What's with the mega study session?" Ashley
"I was trying to find answers, but I think they just found me" Killian
Killian smirked now, reaching over the table for another book, revealing his tattoos and scars around his wrists.
"Don't tell me, Ashleys a fairytale character too" Emma
"No need to be hostile, I know you like me"
Emma and Ashley shared a confused look with each other while Killian eyes went wide, and he walked over to them.
"I'm going to sit down, doing all my stepsister's homework was tiring enough, before I was pregnant"
"You can't be serious, they have you doing all this stuff for them, while you're about to give birth"
"The barley mention it, to them she is nothing but a commodity"
"She?"
"A girl yes"
Ashleys hand gently rubbed her belly her eyes distant and longing as she pictured her daughter and what life they could have together.
"They can't make you give her up"
"I just, don't want her to be alone, like me, she deserves better"
"You're not alone, the father, he wants to be here, we just need to find him"
With a focused expression Killian pulled out the Storybook having once again taken it from Elsa, flipping through the pages, until he came across one of a boy and girl dancing at a ball.
"Killian stop"
"Emma, no I…"
"You're playing with Ashleys emotions, you can't give people that kind of false hope"
Emma words where harsher then intended and she walked back out of the library, leaving Killian and Ashley alone.
"Is she ok"?
"No, but I can help her, by helping you"
"Look I hate to say it, but Emma's kind of right, we just do what we can to survive, there's no time for dreaming"
"No someone did this to you, to all of us, you can make them pay"
'Revenge"?
Ashley frowned as she saw something darker now in Killians eyes as he prodded her for information, he was determined, but single minded.
"First, tell me what you remember, about the night you met him"
"It was stupid, I'd never even been to a party and some rich kid across town had an open invitation, I snuck out and I had the best night of my life, dancing, talking and there was him, he surprised me"
As Ashley finished talking her phone began to beep loudly and repeatedly, she sighed looking at her screen, as an influx of messages appeared on her phone.
"You didn't tell him, about the baby"?
"I never saw him again"
Again, more messages appeared on her phone, and she looked down reading through them quickly, her face in a frown.
"I'm so sorry"
"Thanks for listening Killian, but I have to go"
Ashley walked back out of the library into the busy halls, while Killian stayed in the library his thoughts racing, he walked over to the only working computer, starting it up.
In the back booth by the juke box at Granny's diner, Emma sat with Elsa as they talked about their day. Although trying to focus on the moment, Emma couldn't help but wonder how much time she had left in Storybrooke. Elsa seemed distracted, her eyes darting towards the entrance every time the door swung open, and someone entered, before her face fell.
"Looking for someone"? Emma
"What, no Ummm"
"Mulan seems nice"
Elsa rolled her eyes she knew she was miles away from getting the courage to go over and speak coherent sentences to Mulan. Ashley walked through the door, or more waddled and Emma waved her over to there both to sit down with them.
"Hey guys, do you mind if I join you"?
"No sit" Emma said.
"I'm ordering onion rings though, oh and chocolate sauce"
"Gross" Elsa replied.
They laughed as Ashley awkwardly, sat down her arms full of grocery bags and dry cleaning, which she placed beside her in the booth barely leaving any room for her to sit.
"Hey Elsa, you still haven't picked up your mail"
A short man in a coat said as he got up from the stool turning to face them, before he sneezed repeatedly while Elsa looked away awkwardly.
"Sorry I will"
He shook his head before getting up from the stool and walking back out of the diner, Emma turned to Elsa who's expression was now guilty.
"What was that about"?
"My sister sends me letters from boarding school, I haven't collected them in a while though, I don't even know the return address anyway"
"You don't want to read them"? Ashley
"I don't know, it's horrible but she's out there living, and I just hold her back"
"You think she doesn't want to hear from you"?
"Were not close, not since we were very young"
The door to Granny's swung open as Killian ran through the entrance, his eyes searching and focused, pushing through the crowd to them.
"I did it, I found him, his names Sean lives nearby"
Killian slid into the booth next to Emma and Elsa pulling out a photo and showing proudly, a picture of a boy with sandy blonde hair.
"I know who he is, but I can't..."
"Handsome" Emma said.
"He is but, his family is very wealthy, they won't want anything to do with me, or this baby"
"Do you like him"?
"He was so kind; but I could tell he was scared of his future, and that was before I was pregnant"
"Sorry guys I have to go, my aunt will be expecting me home"
Emma and Killian stood up so Elsa could make her way out of the booth, just as Red appeared from the kitchen with a plate full of fires.
"Your leaving already"?
"Sorry, I have curfew"
Elsa had already made her way through the crowd at back out into the street, Red's face fell as she slumped into the empty booth to eat. Ashleys phone buzzed with an influx of messages dinging incessantly, with each one her expression changed, and she began to gather her things.
"Looks like I'll have to get my onion rings to go as well, my stepmother needs me to run some more errands"
"I should go as well; I can't push my luck much further with my foster parents"
"Wait Emma, we can't just ignore this"
"We, there's no we, it's just me and I have to get home, while I still have one"
Killian sighed in defeat placing the picture on the table and walking back out of the diner with Ashley in silence. Emma turned giving Red and apologetic look, before taking one of her fries, she inspected the image Killian left behind but eventually left herself. Red got up freeing the booth for other patrons sitting at the counter, to which her Gran approached.
"Your friends left already"?
"Yes, Emma to, alone again"
Miss Blanchard head looked up and the mention of Emma's name completely lost in thought, her eyes watching carefully as the kids left the diner. Then back at her plate moving the food around with her fork, without taking a bite.
'You going to eat that, I can make something else"
"Sorry no, I actually was wondering, how did you... decided to take in Ruby"
"There was no decision, were family, I have home, she needed one"
"Right of course, that's an interesting way of putting it"
Miss Blanchard was quiet pondering something, her eyes distant looking out the window, as Emma made her way down the street alone.
"What are you thinking"?
"I could take in a teenager; I mean, I deal with teenagers all day, what's a little longer"
Granny immediately smiled begging to laugh at Miss Blanchard optimism, leaning in closer realising that she was being serious.
"It won't be that easy"
"No, she's different"
"Who are talking about"?
"Emma"
As the sun had begun to set Emma made her way through the entrance of her foster home taking off her shoes and placing them at the rack by the door, she heard footsteps pacing in the next room.
"Emma, is that you"?
"Hi, is something wrong?"
"Emma" Josie her foster mother started but paused as Emma's face fell this wasn't going to be good, so Michael finished her thought.
"You know we really wanted kids and tried for so long to foster; the thing is" Michael explained before Emma interrupted.
"Now that you found your kids, you don't want me around, I get it"
"No that's not it, we want you here but…in the process of fostering a child, we had a lot of trouble, as if our applications were never received, we went to someone else made a deal, now I see that wasn't the right thing to do" Michael explained.
"What, I don't understand, who helped you"
"Mr Gold, set it up we paid him, which is completely illegal, the point is someone found out there threatening us, with everything that's happened, we can't risk our family"
Josie reached out her hand to take Emma's, but she recoiled away standing from the couch and smiling at them, she nodded her head.
"It's fine, whatever didn't like it here anyway"
Emma walked away her lip trembled, she wanted needed to get away refusing to let them see her cry, she stormed out of the house to the backyard.
Regina stood out the front of her office a smile on her face, as students made their way into the halls of Storybrooke high. Her eyes for searching for a particular face in the crowd but she couldn't see it and her smile only widened. Until just before the start of class, Emma Swan walked up the steps and through the large double doors.
"Didn't think I'd see you today, Miss Swan"
"I'm not leaving just yet; someone will come in a few days"
"Right, I think this is for the best, don't you?"
Regina stormed off back into her office and Emma clenched her fists realising now, who exactly sent in the information regarding Emma's situation. Elsa walked up to Emma then with a concerned expression, noticing the exchange.
"I need to find Killian"
"Good morning to you to"
"Where do you think he'll be"
"Library probably"
"Right of course"
Emma took off with Elsa trailing behind walking past her lockers, straight to the library where Killian was sitting in the back aisle, on the floor reading. Elsa followed confused and a little anxious about being late for class, as the halls emptied.
"Killian, did you find an address yesterday, with that name?"
"I didn't think you were interested Swan"
Killian didn't look up his tone of frustration he continued to read his book, but he couldn't focus on the words on the page anymore.
"Well, I am "Emma paused looking down "let's go now"
Placing the book down carefully he finally looked up sensing the change in Emma, eventually he smirked getting up from the floor and colleting his things.
"Couldn't stay away from me" Killian
"Emma, we have classes to go to right now" Elsa said no sure what was with Emma's state of mind.
"I not too concerned about attendance at a school, I won't be attending much longer"
"What do mean, Emma are your leaving?"
"I don't have a choice, we have to make sure Ashley has one, if she wants to keep her baby, she dam well should"
"Just wait a second, they can't do this to you after you brought their children home"
"It's not their fault, well not completely, they made a deal with a Mr Gold and now that the social worker knows, they'll take me from the home, if I don't leave"
"No, Emma this isn't fair"
Elsa instinctively reached out embracing Emma, who arms stayed at her side, before stepping away from her friend with a sheepish smile.
"Are you sure it was Gold, who set it up"
"That's what Micheal told me; do you know this… Mr Gold"
Killian expression became distant and cold, suddenly he stormed out of the aisle and towards the exit.
"Wait, I'm coming with you"
"Emma I can't skip class; I'm grounded as it is"
"It's ok, just stay here Elsa, me and Killian will go"
The pawn shop door swung open clanging as it did the little bell rung and was greeted by silence in the empty shop, piled high with trinkets and ornaments. Notably a Mobil hung from the roof with tiny unicorns that shimmered in the light. After a moment Mr Gold strolled out of the back with a confused expression, as he laid eyes on Killian.
"Hello, what can I help you with"?
"Crocodile"
Killian spat the name, it was the closest he'd been to the man in over fifteen years, all the memories of the last time be he confronted him came to the surface, along with the rage.
"What do you know about Emma"?
"The young girl, I helped the Tillman's foster, I regret how this has ended up"
Mr Gold looked up a nonchalant expression, pausing for a moment as Killian starred into his eyes trying to see a flicker of recognition, but it wasn't there.
"But I have a feeling all will work out" Mr Gold.
He smiled before continuing to go about his daily tasks, as if this was no concern to him, he was so calm it was concerning.
"No, why would you do this, what do you want with her?"
Emma walked into the shop then, out of breath having barley kept up with Killians power walking all the way from the school to the pawn shop.
"Killian there you are, I thought we were trying to find Sean"
Mr Gold grinned when Emma entered, frowning as she observed the many strange trinkets taking up all the space. Killian didn't take his eyes of the pawn shop owner, until he saw the flicker recognition in his eyes, even downright glee, as Emma stepped closer.
"I'll be watching you"
Killian turned around practically pushing Emma out the door, as if terrified something would happened to them, if they stayed any longer.
"What was with the detour?"
"I just, needed to check something, promise me you'll stay out of there"
"Can I ask why"?
"You wouldn't believe me"
"Cryptic, but sure don't know why your so concerned, I'll be leaving town soon remember"
"It's going to be ok Emms; you won't be going anywhere, unless you want to"
"This seems pretty much a done deal"
"No one can enter this town or leave..." Killian paused then his eyes longing looking towards Emma "no one except you"
Killian looked away then as realisation sunk in, he felt a sense of anxiety, knowing if he could not convince the saviour to stay, all would be lost.
"Right the curse"
Emma wanted to roll her eyes, but she could hear the desperation in his voice the fear as he thought about never seeing her again. Instead, she just giggled a little, as if embarrassed by his affections towards her, while they continued down the street towards a large estate, with pristine lawns.
"I know how it sounds but look at us, we trying to save Ashley, from her evil stepmother"
"Please, I'm begging you just stop, I'm doing this because I think Ashley deserves a choice and so does, he, whether or not they want to raise their kid, where doing this because, there are no fairy godmothers in this world"
"Maybe not, but there's our prince"
Stepping out of a sports car in designer sneakers, a tall boy Emma recognised from the photo Killian had, making his way up the path into his house.
"Stop"
Emma ran up the path with Killian, he turned around frowning a little concerned by their intensity, but he did stop just at the doorstep.
"What's going on, who are you"?
"Never mind that, were here to ask you about Ashley"
"Ashley, I haven't seen her in"
"About 9 months"
"Who are you two... what's going on, is she ok?"
"Look where not here to guilt you, we just thought you'd want to know"?
"I know about the baby"
Emma and Killian where quiet shocked for a moment, that he would have known and not taken on any responsibility.
"How can you just leave her, your child"?
"No, I, I tried to find her"
"Really how hard can it be, there's only one school in town"
Sean looked away ashamed of himself, just as the front door of his home burst open and his father emerged with a frown.
"What's going on out here"?
"Where friends of Ashleys, where here to ask your son if he plans to help her, because she needs it"
"I tried ok, Ana and Dru told me she left Storybrooke, didn't want anything to do with me"
"That's not true"
"She wants to keep it, her stepmother has organised to send the baby away, but it's not too late"
"We will help, in any way we can, whatever she wants to do"
Sean turned to his father, tears in his eyes surprised at his reaction, having not told him the truth about Ashleys pregnancy.
"I thought, you would be upset"
"They only thing I upset about, is that you kept this from me, left that poor girl to deal with this on her own"
"Where is she now, Ashley"?
Sean asked smiling is eyes full of hope and longing for the girl he meet that night, wanting to see her face again.
"Back at school, come on we can take you to her"
Elsa paced around the front of the school trying her best to look as non-cholent as possible her eyes darting up and down to the road, searching for Killian and Emma to return.
"Are you ok?"
"What, I um fine"
"I like your hair today, in the bun"
"Yeah" Elsa but her hand to her head feeling her hair as if she'd forgotten it was there, bewildered for a moment as Mulan walked closer to her.
"How hard did that ball hit you yesterday"
"I'm fine, sorry just busy"
"What are you reading"
"Oh, just romance novel, I've read it before I only really like the start of the story, never quit make it to the end"
"So, you just read half the book"
"Endings are hard"
"Right sorry to interrupt, I was just walking with Ashley she isn't feeling well, and I saw you, thought I'd apologise again"
Elsa failed to respond staring blankly at Mulan the silence went on for a moment, before Mulan turned away shaking her head.
"I thought... never mind"
"Wait Mulan, I'm sorry please don't go, I'm just distracted, Emma and Killian should have been back by now"
"They ditched class, I sure Principle Mills, is already aware"
Elsa fidgeted her eyes still n the road searching for a sign of her friends, but it seemed hopeless, and she turned back to Mulan.
"Don't tell Ash just yet but they went to find Sean, but these things never end well"
"You never know, maybe this time they will, just got to make it to the end of the story"
The looked at each other for a moment smiles on both their faces, just behind them Ashley breathed heavy before standing upright.
"Ugh guys, help, help"
Ashley felt a small bit of water trickle down her leg as her pain intensified, her hand clenched onto the bench as she screamed in agony.
"Maybe I will" Elsa blushed, finally looking at Mulan in the eye now, not sure if she would be able to look away.
"You guys!" Ashley yelled.
"What's wrong"? Elsa
"It's happening" Ashley
"It's too early" Mulan
"Somethings wrong" Ashley
"I'll get the car, stay with her please" Mulan
Mulan instructed Elsa before running off, they stood there for a moment panicked, not sure what to do in this situation. Taking Ashleys hand she squeezed it tight as they walked over to the sidewalk together, when Mulan pulled up, they slid into the back of the car and drove away.
"Oh no, were skipping class" Elsa
"I think, they'll understand" Mulan
"Oh, right sorry" Elsa
Elsa was bewildered for a moment before they put their seatbelts on and headed out of the school carpark and towards Storybrooke hospital.
Miss Blanchard wasn't her usual self, flustered as she stood at the front of her class trying to speak but her mind wondered, and her heart raced. Her eyes kept going back to the empty seat in the back of her classroom, Emma's seat. All the possibilities running through her mind, had she gone already with no chance to say goodbye or worse, ran away.
"Miss, what do you want us do"?
A student asked and she realised she hadn't said a word for a few minutes starring blanky, confusing her class. However, as she looked up to her surprise Emma was making her way down the hallway, a woman followed grabbing her by the arm. She seemed to be yelling at Emma, Miss Blanchard quickly made her way towards the door.
"Just keep reading silently, I'll be right back"
Miss Blanchard recognised the woman from the schoolboard, she was a parent, specifically the mother of Dru and Ana.
"What's going on, let Emma go"
"Tell me, where Ashley is, I know you know girl"
"No, I'm not telling you anything"
"You think I can't make you; I got you kicked out of your home, but I can do much worse"
Quickly moving in between them, Miss Blanchard scowled at her raising her voice, forcing a distance between Emma and Ashleys stepmother.
"Parents aren't permitted on campus at this time, you need to leave now"
As if suddenly aware of her presence, she turned frowning at Miss Blanchard, before walking down the hall and out the exit quickly. Emma stood still for a moment looking at Miss Blanchard, surprised at her words and actions.
"Emma, what's going on"?
"I have to go, get to the hospital Red told me Elsa is there with Ashley"
"Just wait, Emma, I can drive you"
"Great, we just got to get Killian and the others"
"Emma slowdown"
Miss Blanchard tried to get more information, but Emma wasn't listening taking off down the hall back out the front of the school where Killian, Sean and his father waited for news.
Elsa leg tapped on the ground, unable to keep still while they waited outside the delivery room, hoping for a miracle.
"It will be ok"
"I know, I just wish I could get in touch with Emma, but she doesn't have a phone"
Mulan reached out about to give a comforting hand to Elsa as her eyes went wide and she sighed with relief.
"Wait, there she is"?
Emma, Killian and Miss Blanchard walked through the double doors into waiting room, there expressions tense becoming slightly more relieved to see their friends.
"What happened, did you find him"?
"Better than that, his here, he wants to help"
In front of them Sean entered the room with his father they watched through the window, he walked over and gave Ashley a hug, before they went into the delivery room together. Emma's smile quickly changed; it was all over, the dreed set in. She looked around at her new friends knowing they'd part ways soon, but one was missing.
"Where's Killian gone?"
Emma frowned making her way further down the hall to another ward, her expression was bewildered, but she reluctantly continued stopping when she reached a dank dark room. It was quiet and cold, with only the sound of a machine beeping, one patient lying peacefully asleep. Killian stood over him a smile on his face he turned to Emma proudly.
"Who is that"?
"You father"
Notes: Will try to update fortnightly for this one - let me know your thought please - next chapter Killian is desperate to keep Emma in Storybrooke and gets them into some trouble