A/N: Thank you all for being so unbelievably patient for my updating this story. I am beyond happy to bring you two new chapters (and possibly another on the way, depending on how fast and smoothly I can write it.) No promises, though! But, in case I can't post the next one tonight, here are two to hold you until tomorrow. I hope you are all seated or as comfy as can be while reading these next two chapters, because things are about to spiral. Happy reading! :) A big thank you to everyone who takes seconds out of their time to drop a review.

Chapter 36: A New Threat

"Emma," Henry's voice followed by his footsteps approached Emma while she waited along the hallway of the hospital.

"Mr. Mills," Emma firmly shakes his hand. "Are you alright?"

"Everything is fine, thanks to you." Henry smiled kindly. "You were a real hero out there."

"Just doing my job." Emma assured.

"You acted quickly in a stressful situation, and saved a man's life," Henry shook his head. "That's a hero in my book."

"I'm just glad everyone is alright."

"Daddy?" Regina ran through the sliding doors of the hospital lobby, launching herself into her father's arms so hard that Henry almost lost his balance.

"Easy, Regina. I'm not as young as I used to be." Henry chuckled, thankful to be holding his daughter.

"Are you alright?" Regina released her father to get a good look at him.

"Yes, I'm fine. We all are, thanks to Emma here and her quick thinking." Henry smiled directly at Emma.

Regina's eyes looked over to Emma, her eyes wider at the sight of blood smeared along the sleeves of her shirt. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Emma said, giving a slight nod.

"What happened? My mother called me and told me there was an incident at a construction site." Regina turned to her father.

"I'll give you two some privacy." Said Emma, walking away.

"Ms. Swan," Robin stopped her in her tracks, approaching her along a hallway. "I do hope you don't take what happened at the construction site seriously. I've had a lot of complaints about this man, Jefferson Hadder over the years. I wouldn't want to have to worry that you believe his word over who you work for."

Emma's eyes pin on Robin's. "I very much doubt a man like you loses sleep at night over anything or anyone, Mr. Locksley. And to be perfectly honest, I've known Jefferson Hadder for two days, but he has earned my absolute trust over you, any day." She watches his frown take over. "And I don't think I need to remind you that I don't work for you, but with your father."

"That company is as well as mine," Robin seethes, taking a step forward.

Emma takes a step of her own. "That may be so, but your father is the one who brought me on board. My business is with him and you can be sure that I will fix your mistakes around those construction sites."

Robin's jaw flinches. "If I were you, Ms. Swan. I would start worrying a little more about what could happen if you dig too deep in something that is not your concern."

"Careful, Mr. Locksley. I can take that as a threat." Emma's brow slightly lifts. Her eyes look toward Regina, who has joined them now along with Henry. "Excuse me."

Regina watches her walk away, and it takes everything in her not to follow.

"Ms. Swan," Samuel's stands from behind his desk as Emma enters his office later that day. Freshly dressed and without a stain of blood in sight. "I feel dreadful about this incident. I honestly don't know what went wrong. Nothing ever does."

"I'll tell you what went wrong, Mr. Locksley," Emma's eyes glare. "Having Robin Locksley in charge of what machines go in and which never come out."

"I assure you that my son does his best. He didn't know-"

Emma scoffs, "That's exactly the problem, Mr. Locksley. Robin doesn't know anything. He doesn't know how to handle these types of situations. He didn't even lift a finger to help out those people."

"I admit, he made a mistake." Samuel nods. "And I will rectify it. Robin will learn-"

"No," Emma shakes her head. "I don't want him to learn, Mr. Locksley."

"I'm not understanding."

"Then let me make it perfectly clear in a term that you will understand." Emma leans forward, her palms resting along the desk. "I want Robin out of my way and out of any deal you wish to make with me, or I walk."

Samuel's mouth opens and closes. "You can't walk out on this. You signed a contract."

"Contracts can be bridged, under stressful situations- like the one I had today for example. And I know for a fact that if I were to give solid proof to Mallorie Page- not to mention our lawyers- of everything that is happening out here, she will make sure that not only I'm out of your life for good but that your company comes down in flames. However, if you allow me to take control, like our new contract states you would, and you keep your son out of my way, I'll stay."

"I can't ask Robin not to come to the company." Samuel shakes his head.

"I'm not asking that either. But this is your company," Emma's finger slams along the desk. "So act like it for once in your life and let me do my job by keeping your son in line." She straighteners, holding out her palm. "Do we have a new deal?"

There wasn't even an ounce of hesitation in Samuel as he firmly shook Emma's hand. "Deal." He grumbled under his breath. "I'll hold a meeting this afternoon and make the announcement."

Emma gave a little triumphant smile before walking out of the man's office, and as she did, she came to a short stop as Robin walked to his office, but Emma simply gave a nod and continued on her way.

Robin, however, marched directly to his father's office. "What was Ms. Swan doing in your office?" He asked, walking up to Samuel.

"There's been a strict change in contract, I'm afraid." Samuel falls onto his chair.

"What change? Why wasn't I notified?"

"I'm telling you now." Samuel's green eyes look up at his son. "Don't fill up your schedule for this afternoon, you're needed in the meeting."

"Well, well," Robin's brow cocks. "You're finally including me in something?"

"Meeting is at five, this afternoon. Don't be late." Samuel begins writing along a piece of blank paper while Robin helps himself out of his office.

Zelena pulled her front door open after hearing several knocks. "You?" Her eyes grew wide at the sight of Killian, in his all black suit, holding two grocery bags impressively in one arm. "What do you want?"

"Mr. Locksley sent me." He said.

"Of course, he did." Zelena's body leaned against the door frame, her arms crossing over her chest. "Well, you've seen me. I haven't talked to anyone, except Regina and I haven't told her anything, so feel free to tell him that and leave me alone."

The door slams shut, leaving another set of knocks that cause Zelena to turn back with a dramatic eye roll, pulling the door open again. Killian is surprised this time by how Zelena just yanks the two bags of groceries out of his arm and slams the door shut after locking it this time.

Killian turns away from the door, and reaches inside of his blazer pocket. His eyes fall on the Unknown caller flashing across his screen. His jaw tenses but he picks up after a few seconds. "Yes?"

"Mr. Jones. You've been a hard man to get a hold of lately." The familiar distorted voice speaks.

"I'm a very busy man." Said Killian.

"Not for me, Mr. Jones. Now did you get what I asked for on Robin Locksley?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. Someone will meet you by the pier, ten o'clock sharp tonight to retrieve what you have on Robin Locksley."

"What about my money?" Killian's eyes look around the hallway, all the way to Zelena's closed apartment door. "I'm risking a lot doing this for you. If Mr. Locksley finds out-"

"He won't," promised the mystery caller. "You'll get your money. As soon as I get what I want from you. Remember, ten o'clock sharp. Not a minute late, Mr. Jones."

The line clicks. Killian places his phone back inside his blazer pocket and walks away.

Robin stopped short, eyebrow crinkled at the sight of his father and Emma, sitting side by side in the boardroom. Samuel at the head of the table, while Emma sat to the left. "What's this?"

"Sit down, son," Samuel nods at the empty seat at the head opposite Emma, to the right.

"I thought we had a meeting, that's what you said, father," Robin took his seat, his eyes shifting to Emma.

"We do." Samuel withdrew a blue folder from behind his and placed it in front of Robin.

"Are the others late?" Robin continues to look for an explanation.

"No. This meeting is just for the three of us."

Robin's eyes look to his father. "The three of us?" His brows shoot up. "Do tell, what brilliant idea has Ms. Swan come up with now?" He looks at Emma.

Samuel frowns but easily says, "She's part of a new contract, and wanted you to be informed that after today, Robin," he looks to Emma before turning back to Robin. "You will no longer form part of any decision making that takes place here."

"What?" Robin quickly scanned through the contract in front of him, seeing not only Emma's signature at the dotted line but his father's for support. "This was your doing," his eyes glare directly at Emma before turning on his father. "And you're supporting this?"

"It's what's best, Robin." Said Samuel.

"Says who? Her!" Robin scoffs, glaring at Emma once more. "What lies has she told you now to get you to play nice father?"

"That's the problem, Robin. Emma didn't need to tell me anything." Samuel said. "I saw it all myself today during that construction site. And it's not just that, but for years you have been throwing the company's money away on so many things. Our ratings drastically dropped with that incident today. Have you seen the news?"

"If our ratings dropped it isn't because of me, but because Ms. Swan isn't doing her job." Robin seethed. "You saw how those imbeciles acted in that construction site- we all saw it. If you want to clean house, what you really should do is fire that idiot who threw a punch at me," his eyes flicker to Emma. "And fire her while you're at it."

"Jefferson Hadder stays." Emma clarifies. "Your father here also agreed to give every last one of those employees, including him a raise in salary, plus new insurance and a week's paid vacation. Isn't that right, Samuel?" She looks to Samuel who looks up at Robin.

Robin's eyes darken, "You accepted that, father?"

Samuel lifted his chin. "It's what's best for the company. Besides, you won't have to worry about a thing, Robin. All the decision making will be run by Emma and she will ensure that money keeps coming in."

"You can't just throw me out of this company!" Robin slams his palms along the table, shooting up from his chair dramatically. "I've lived and breathed Locksley Incorporated for years! And now just because she comes along, you're willing to kick out your own son! How is that better for the company?"

"Robin," Samuel stands. "Neither Emma nor I are asking you not to be a part of any of this. She simply wants you to remain out of her way when it comes to decision making on what's best for these sorts of things. Every decision she makes from now on will go through me only, you will just co-sign for everything."

Robin chuckles, "Well, I won't. I refuse to allow Ms. Swan to think she can order me around." His eyes glare at Emma.

"I won't have to do that, Mr. Locksley," Emma stands next. "Because I know that in the end you'll do what's right for this company." Whether he likes it or not. "If you, gentleman, excuse me," she looks down at her watch. "But I have to see the owner about a house." She shakes Samuel's hand before giving one last look at Robin and walking out.

Robin's jaw works, tightening as he watches Emma leave in silenced anger.

"Son," Samuel's hand lands along Robin's shoulder. "It won't be like this forever. Trust me."

Robin yanks his father away, blue eyes darkening. "It amazes, father, that after all you taught me as a boy, it is you who ends up having no backbone when it comes to a woman. I never thought I'd see the day when a simple nobody could tame Samuel Locksley."

"No one has tamed me, Robin." Samuel retorts. "Emma is right. For years, you have been reckless with any decision making, I just wasn't brave enough to stop it because as my son, a father never wants to see his son fall. It's just for a little while, Robin, besides, Emma is simply asking that you stay out of her way. Not that you stop coming to the company. We all have to make sacrifices here."

Robin chuckles, "Sacrifices? Is that what you call this?" He picks up the folder and shoves it at his father's chest. "Abraham didn't hesitate to obey in sacrificing his son Isaac- why should Samuel Locksley?"

"Don't you talk to me like that, Robin," Samuel lifts his finger in warning. "Someone has to do what's best for this company!"

"And what is best, father?" Robin seethes. "Stabbing your only son in the back?" He pauses, his eyes glaring into his father's. "You go ahead. Do what's best for the company. But you've heard the saying, 'never stab the devil in the back', haven't you? It never ends well."

Samuel glares this time, his face completely transforms. "If you think you're the devil, Robin, you are sorely mistaken."

"No," Robin shakes his head. "I can be worse. And Ms. Swan isn't God. I'll prove that to you and you'll see."

Samuel watches as Robin walks out, slamming the door shut. He sighs and is left to shake his head.

"Emma," David breathed while he shot up anxiously from his favorite chair in the living room as Emma entered the apartment.

Emma could tell from the exhausted look on her father's face that it had been a long evening for him just as much as it had been for her. That or he saw the news of the construction site incident.

She got her answer once David took two giant strides across his small living room and pulled Emma in, squashing her into a large hug. He almost felt taller. His body towered over her that his chin dug along her shoulder, stuffing Emma's mouth & nose into the crook of his shirt. Her dad always smelled of aftershave and motor oil.

"Are you okay?" David pulled away, his hands resting on Emma's shoulders. Obviously, he heard about the incident if he was concerned for her well being.

Emma gave a nod, "I'm fine. I promise."

"Okay," David exhales hard. His eyes watering over. "When I saw the news, I was so worried that-"

"Dad," Emma holds onto his shoulders. Her eyes locking into David's tired blue ones. "I'm right here, okay? I'm not dying yet."

A single tear slides down from the corner of David's eye as he says, "You're not dying ever- come here," his arms pull his daughter in for another heartfelt hug. "I lost your mother, Emma. I'll be damned if I'm losing you, too."

"You're not losing me." Emma promised, blinking away a few tears of her own. Her eyes adjust and look to the door at the sound of a light knock. "I'll get it."

"I'll go get dinner started." David said while heading into the kitchen.

Emma pulled open the front door to the person she least expected would be knocking at this time of night. "Regina?"

"Sorry to bother you," said Regina.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was visiting Mary Margaret and I thought I'd come by and see how you were doing. You know, after today." She paused. "I also came to thank you."

"Thank me?"

Regina nods, "For not leaving my father alone. He told me the whole thing, how it happened," she chuckled. "It's safe to say he admires you."

"I would have done it for anyone." Said Emma.

"Except I'm the exception, right?" There's a hint of sadness in Regina's voice. "You know, when I saw you today with all that blood on you, I thought-"

"I'm fine." Emma extends her arms. "Not a scratch on me."

"Always the savior, huh? Some things never change." Regina allows herself to smile a little. "Anyway, thank you. If it weren't for you, my father wouldn't be here."

"You don't have to thank me." Said Emma.

"Who's at the door, Emma?" David appears behind Emma, his eyes wide as he sees Regina. "Oh. I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean-"

"It's alright. I was just leaving." Regina assured him, her eyes looking back up at Emma. "See you tomorrow. Boss." She takes a minute to turn and leave, marveling in the displeased look on Emma's face at the title.

Emma shuts the door and turns to find the questioning look on her father's face. "What?"

"I didn't say anything." Said David.

"Your face is doing all the talking for you."

David shakes his head. "Forget it. Last time I tried to butt in and talk to you about her, we ended up fighting. I'm not doing that again. Come on, let's go eat. Dinner is almost ready." He swings the hand towel along his shoulder.

Emma waits until David disappears into the kitchen to give a quick glance out the window of the living room. She could see the front of the apartment complex, out onto the street where Regina's Mercedes was parked along the side of the road, across the street. She could see as it drove away, but what caught her eye was how an unknown car that looked to be holding two mysterious figures inside the driver and passenger seats, who drove seconds after Regina did.

"Emma? You coming?" David called from the kitchen.

"Yeah," Emma's brow furrowed as she stepped away from the window and joined her father for dinner in the kitchen.

"And what was she doing there?" Robin looked up at the two men Killian placed in charge of following Regina.

"Visiting a friend. A woman answered the door, older woman; looked harmless. Afterward, she left and spent the night in her studio." Said one of the men.

Robin's eyes look down at the pictures of the apartment complex. "So, this is where Ms. Swan lives?" He picks up the picture. "Question is… why would my wife visit a friend there, in the same complex where Ms. Emma Swan lives?" His eyes look up at the two men.

"She lives with her father, has a few friends that come and go, but no sign of your wife going there to see her, sir."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Robin stands, tossing one of the photographs along his desk. "Find out who this woman is that my wife's been visiting, and find out all you can about Emma's father."

"Yes, sir."

"And keep tabs on Ms. Swan. Do not lose sight of her," he warns. "I want no mistakes. I want to know what she does, where she goes, and with who. Understood?"

"It'll be done." The other nods, following out of Robin's office at the same time Killian steps inside.

"Problem?" Killian asks.

"Not yet." Robin shuffles the pictures in his hands before setting them down again. "But, Regina has some explaining to do. Let's go."

"Where are we going, sir?"

"To see a previous owner about this goddamn house." Robin seethes, storming out of his office. Killian follows behind him, but not before eyeing the pictures along the desk.

Killian hurries to open the passenger door for Robin, shuts it once he is seated and scurries over to the driver's side. It isn't long before they are out on the road.

A cell phone rings, and Robin pulls it out of his blazer pocket, answering the unknown number. "Hello?"

"Mr. Locksley. We finally talk at last. I was beginning to wonder when our time would come." The distorted voice says.

"Who is this?"

Killian watches him silently along the rear view mirror.

"Someone who knows all your dirty little secrets, and who is willing to keep quiet. For a price, of course."

"I don't know what you think you know, but I am a man who doesn't hide behind a distorted phone." Robin's frown deepens. "Robin Locksley has no secrets."

"On the contrary, Mr. Locksley. I think Robin Locksley is a man who invented secrets." A distorted laugh follows. "Tell me, Mr. Locksley… are you absolved of all your sins?"

"That's a bold move. Throwing accusations that you have absolutely no proof of when I can't see your face." Robin sits back.

"If it's proof you want. I'll be more than happy to oblige."

Robin looks down at his phone as the line clicks, his brow furrows at an incoming text message followed with an attachment that once he clicks on it, grows largely into a picture taken of him with several women, drinks in hand, sitting around him in a house that only he knows about. The screen lights up again with the Unknown Caller flashing across his screen.

"Is that enough proof for you?" The mystery caller asks.

"Listen to me, you-" Robin seethes.

"No, I think it's you who ought to listen now, Mr. Locksley. I want ten million dollars wired to the account I will forward you, or your wife will be receiving these pictures."

Robin chuckles, "You are trying to blackmail me? I have news for you. You aren't telling my wife anything she doesn't already know."

"Ten million dollars, Mr. Locksley, or these pictures will appear in tomorrow's paper and not only your marriage but your life as we know it will be over. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Robin frowns. "Ten million dollars is a lot of money to wire on time. I need an extra day."

"You have twenty-four hours, Mr. Locksley. I don't think you want to find out what I'll do if that money isn't wired into my account by tomorrow."

Killian's eyes quietly continued to watch Robin as he was left fuming in the backseat of the car. Probably wondering who in the world was doing this and how this mystery caller had retrieved these pictures of him with various women in a very compromising situation. How the hell did they know about the house he had away from it all? Away from the city, and away from Regina?

Who was this mystery caller?

"I was wondering when I'd have the pleasure of seeing you again." Mary Margaret smiled as she sat down a plate of Emma's favorite breakfast. Spinach omelet, with extra spinach.

"Sorry," Emma gave an apologetic smile. "I've been so swamped at work, and… with Regina at Mal's company, I just-"

"Mm, she told me about that. She said something along the lines of your friend Lily hiring her?" Mary Margaret joined Emma along the couch outside on her patio.

Emma nodded while chewing through her first bite. "It was her idea, yeah."

"And you go along with everything Lily wants, do you?" Mary Margaret's brow lifts.

"I had no idea she was going to hire Regina. We had a bit of an argument because of it, but it is what it is." Said Emma.

"It is what it is?" Mary Margaret holds back a smile. "Or maybe you like being around Regina more than you think, hm?"

"Mary Margaret," Emma glares.

"What? Like it's a lie? Emma, if you really didn't want Regina around, you would have fired her the same day Lily hired her. Now, why didn't you?" She waits.

Emma sighs. Why didn't she, indeed? But before she could answer, her phone rings, leaving her to reach for it from within her pocket. "Sorry, excuse me." She stands, answering the call. "Emma Swan."

"Ms. Swan!" A voice calls. "This is Claire Williams."

"Mrs. Williams!" Emma beams. "Please, tell me you have good news for me on that property of yours."

"Well," Mrs. Williams' tone of voice changes to disappointment. "I would, but you see, Mr. Locksley came by early this morning and he decided to put down a very generous offer on the house. He seems very interested in that property."

Emma frowns. "Mrs. Williams', please. You can't possibly consider selling your property to a man like Robin Locksley."

"Look, Emma. I know you are equally interested and it breaks my heart. Truly it does. But I will tell you the same thing I'm telling you now; I'll sleep on it and by tomorrow morning, I will make my final decision on who gets the house. You or Mr. Locksley. That's my final offer."

Emma gives a disappointed nod. "Tomorrow then. But if this is about money, please, listen to my final offer. I'll give you every cent I have. I just need that house."

"I hear you, dear. Truly I do."

Emma hangs up, clutching her phone in her right hand as she sits back down with an exasperated sigh.

"I take it whoever called didn't have good news." Said Mary Margaret.

Emma shakes her head, "Robin Locksley placed a higher offer on the house. There's a big chance, Mrs. Williams may take his offer." She tosses her cellphone along the couch before her body hunches over. "I know him, this is his way of getting back at me for taking him out of any decision making around the company."

"I think this is more than that, Emma," Mary Margaret rests a hand along her daughter's back. "And you and I know the name of that reason."

Emma shot up from the couch, no longer feeling hungry. "But this has nothing to do with-"

"Emma." Mary Margaret stood. "Give it up. You can keep fooling yourself all you want, but deep down, you know that the only reason you want this house it's so much to get under Robin Locksley's skin. It's to be close to Regina." She smiles. "Tell me I'm wrong."

She can't. Emma can simply look away, but instantly, her eyes pull back to Mary Margaret's as the woman cups her cheek with a warm hand.

"You can't fight matters of the heart, Emma. You may want to beat Robin Locksley with every anger you have in you for what happened, but your heart wants other matters."

"Regina and I can't ever be again, Mary Margaret." Said Emma. "It's done. The only thing that will satisfy me now is to see Robin Locksley lose everything he wants."

"Be careful, Emma," Mary Margaret frowns. "Just remember that not only your life could be at stake here, but Regina's as well. And possibly everyone you know."

"I'll be fine," Emma promises. She breaks contact with Mary Margaret to retrieve her phone from the couch and look down at her watch. "I have to go, but Mrs. Williams said she won't reach a decision until tomorrow morning. Until then, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed."

"Oh, that reminds me. Before you go," Mary Margaret reaches for a scarf that until now Emma thought it was hers, and hands it to her. "Take this to Regina, will you? She left it last night when she stopped by for tea."

Emma made no attempt to reach for the scarf, instead she looked up at her quizzically at Mary Margaret as if her brain couldn't register how to tell her hand to grab it.

The older woman rolled her eyes dramatically, seeing no choice but to shove the scarf in Emma's hand. "See, what you do is, you hold it, put it somewhere where you won't forget to give it to its owner and when you see Regina, just say I sent it with you."

"Why can't you just give it to her on your next meet-up for tea?" Emma asked, holding the scarf out to Mary Margaret.

"Because I don't see her as often as you. Besides, Regina is paranoid enough about someone possibly following her again, so she won't be around here for a while-"

"What did you say?" Emma's brow furrowed at the sight of Mary Margaret's wide eyes. "Someone's been following Regina?"

"Emma-"

"Why?"

"I don't know why, and it's not a definite possibility." Mary Margaret holds out her hands in front of Emma. "Last night, Regina just happened to notice a mysterious car parked out front of this complex and she mentioned that one of the men looked vaguely familiar. You know," she shakes her head. "I'm not supposed to be telling you this! Don't you have to leave?"

"I saw a car, too." Emma blurts out. "Last night, it was parked just across the street, right behind Regina's Mercedes."

"You're kidding," Mary Margaret blinks. "So, you think she's being followed?"

"I don't know. Maybe not, but they drove away seconds before she did."

"They? There's more than one?"

"It was dark, so I couldn't see well, but there looked to be two figures inside the vehicle. I can't be too sure." Emma shook her head.

"But why would anyone be following Regina?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Only person I can think of is Robin." Emma's jaw tenses. "Knowing him, they might not even be following Regina."

"What do you mean? Who could they be following?"

Emma's eyes lock onto Mary Margaret's, "Me."

Fear takes over Mary Margaret's eyes. "You? Why-?"

"Because Regina warned me. She told me that Robin Locksley was having me investigated, so it wouldn't surprise me that he is having me followed."

"Emma," Mary Margaret breathes, her complexion white as a sheet of paper. "Please. You have to promise me that you'll be careful. If Robin Locksley digs too deep-"

"Robin Locksley has nothing on me." Emma assures. "He thinks he can scare me but he can't."

"Well, I'm afraid for you, Emma." Her voice is firm. "I think you need to lay low for a while, and don't do anything rash."

"If I lay low, Mary Margaret, and hide, I'll be giving Robin exactly what he wants. I can't do that. Robin thinks he can intimidate me into quitting the company, but that's not what's going to happen."

"Emma, please, be reasonable," her hands squeeze along Emma's arms, desperately pleading. "Do not get involved in this any further."

"Don't worry. I won't do anything that will put me in danger. I promise." Emma smiles. She places a kiss along Mary Margaret's cheek before walking away.

"Emma, wait. God, why does she have to be so damn stubborn?" Mary Margaret sighs.