Mary Margaret waited patiently at the school gates for the black SUV to pull up. She sent up a silent prayer when she saw it was Emma who was dropping Henry off and quickly ran to them.
"Hi Mrs Nolan, is everything okay?" Mary Margaret patted Henry's shoulder as he politely inquired.
"Everything's fine Henry, thank you. I was just wondering if I could have a quick word with your mother." Mary Margaret noted the glaze of worry shine across Emma's face. "Nothing's wrong, don't worry, I hear Henry's settling in wonderfully." Emma instantly relaxed and bent down to wish her son a good day. Both women watched on as he enthusiastically jogged through the playground.
"Emma - may I call you Emma?"
"Of course."
"Great, because this isn't related to school at all... A few of the girls and I were planning a night out for this Friday or Saturday and were hoping you could join us?"
"Oh! Oh, well that's very kind, but I don't really know anyone."
"Well, that's not strictly true you've met Ruby and another friend of ours, Belle will be there, and Regina of course." Emma's eyes instantly widened at hearing her friends name.
"Regina's going – on a night out? Really!" Mary Margaret smiled softly. It was clear Emma already knew Regina well.
"Well, she's thinking about it and we really want her to come out. It's been ages since we all got together. We thought we'd kill two birds with one stone so to speak. Drag Regina out and introduce you to some other people. I'm sure you'd like to make some more friends, right?"
"Yeah I'd love to… Oh!" Her face sank at whatever thought was running through her mind.
"What, what is it?" Mary Margaret stroked her arm, not liking her sudden mood shift.
"It's just Henry; I've no-one really who can look after him." Mary Margaret's brow's knitted together.
"What about your husband?" Emma scratched the back of her neck, struggling to find words; this only heightened Mary Margaret's concern.
"Emma, is everything okay?" Emma quickly thought of something.
"Its fine, Killian works a lot at the moment and is trying to settle in. It means he has to work weekends and most evenings and sometimes long into the night too." It was at the best an exaggeration, and even when he did work, he could do so from home, but Emma was no longer happy leaving Henry under Killian's care. Mary Margaret considered this for a second.
"What if I can arrange for the best babysitter around to have him stay at hers, she looked after me as a child and Ruby, even Regina. If I can get Granny to have him for the night, would that be acceptable?"
"Um, possibly, but I haven't even met the woman."
"Tell you what, how about you and Henry join me for tea and cake after school, my treat, at the diner and I will introduce you. How would you feel then?"
"I'm definitely up for meeting her, and you're right, it would be good to get to know more people. Thank you."
"No, thank you, I'll meet you in the diner after school Emma."
Leopold wandered into the police station, fully expecting his new Sheriff to be settling in, however, he was nowhere in sight. "Deputy Nolan, how are you?"
"I'm good Mayor White, what can I do for you?"
"Where's you new boss? I assumed he'd be here."
"He was. He was in bright and early; I gave him a tour, explained how the station worked and he said he was heading over to the docks. Something about overhauling the security or... something. Whatever it was he seemed very keen and asked me if I could man the phone for a few hours whilst Graham is out on patrol."
"Hmm," muttered the Mayor as he wandered to the Sheriffs desk. There was very little on the desk. He'd clearly done some spring cleaning that morning. "Tell me, what is your first impression of the man?" David tried to hide his scepticism. He knew there was something more to this line of questioning.
"He seems efficient and keen, that would be all I could rightly say now. He was here for less than an hour."
"Indeed." The Mayor edged towards David. "Listen, I trust you David, and I hope you trust me too."
"Of course I do." He meant it as well; he knew the Mayor always had the town's best interest in mind.
"Well I don't trust him yet, do you understand?" David nodded affirmatively. "I would have given you the job had you been able, but you know that already. Sheriff Jones has good experience, but there is something about him that doesn't sit well. Keep an eye out for me, will you?"
"Of course I will."
"Good lad, and this conversation and anything pertaining is just between you and I, okay?"
"Absolutely Sir." Satisfied with their understanding, Leopold left to have a little scout of his own.
After school, Henry was thrilled to learn they'd be having a sweet treat at the diner. When they arrived, Ruby instantly bee-lined to their booth.
"Hey guys, glad to see you in here. Hi Henry!" She added with a cheeky little wink that Henry loved.
"Ruby, we were wondering if Granny was around, I wanted to introduce her to Emma and Henry." Ruby tapped the table in acknowledgement and scooted back to the bar. They watched on as she uncouthly shouted into a room at the back of the Diner. "Granny! Someone wants to meet you?"
"Who! Ruby, I'm busy, this shot gun won't clean itself." Emma's eyes couldn't open any wider. Mary Margaret nervously giggled and screwed her face up as she thought this was just Granny's way, it would be fine.
"Mary Margaret wants to introduce you to someone." Next thing you know, the sound of someone rapidly approaching the service area silenced to reveal a stern looking elderly lady dressed in a typical, dusty cardigan and apron.
"Mary Margaret! Now why didn't you just say so Ruby… Hmm! All this hollering for my attention! Now get back to work." She flicked Ruby across the arse with the end of the towel she held to help get her point across as she approached their booth, and before Emma's eyes she transformed into the sweetest thing.
"Mary Margaret, what a pleasure." Mary Margaret tapped the seat next to her inviting Granny to join them. Emma could practically feel her bones creak as she lowered herself down. "It's not often I get to see anyone anymore, now Ruby's taken over that is and I've delegated most of the shifts out. How are you doing lass?"
"I'm doing just great Granny, thank you. How are you?"
"Bored, I suppose. Now, is there anything I can do for you?"
"I'd like to introduce you to someone. This is Emma, Emma Swan, and her son Henry. They've recently moved to Storybrooke."
"Well, isn't that just swell, to where have you moved?"
"We live next door to Mayor White and his… wife." She almost paused too long before saying wife and realised they'd probably not told anyone yet. In a town like Storybrooke she could imagine gossip like that catching like a wildfire. She held her hand out to Granny who warmly clasped it, it wasn't quite a handshake, more a friendly grasp. "May I ask your name?"
"My name is Eugenia, but to you it's just Granny my sweet – to you as well young man." Henry beamed at the idea of being allowed to call her Granny; after all, he had none of his own. He looked to his Ma and she knew exactly what was going through his head.
"We were wondering Granny," began Mary Margaret, "If you'd be able to look after Henry either this Friday or Saturday night." Granny's face lit up at the request.
"Absolutely!" She rubbed Henry's hand affectionately. "It's been ages since I've had the privilege of looking after a youngen, you lot are all grown up after all." She pinched Mary Margaret's cheek as she said that, knowing full well it would embarrass the woman, and it did, a bit, but whilst her cheek went red, mainly from the pinch, she loved the sentiment too. "I've probably still got that old game console somewhere, though you may find it a bit old-fashioned young man."
"No, No! I'm sure it'll be fantastic; I can help you get it up and running again."
"Oh! Well, if that's the case, I guess I'll have to cook some of my signature bear claws as a thank you. What do you say!"
"Can I, can I stay with Granny Ma!" Emma laughed at his enthusiasm, though as usual it warmed her heart. She really didn't need to think hard about this. The woman was a dream, and she couldn't have had better references.
"If Granny is happy, then I am happy." She turned to face Granny. "It would be awfully kind of you, and I could find a way to repay you…"
"Oh nonsense child, no one is allowed to pay Granny."
"Then thank you ever so much." She felt like it would be an insult to insist upon offering anything further.
"Which night would suit you best Granny?" Added Mary Margaret.
"How about Friday night, I'm up early to watch me sport on a Sunday?"
"Perfect." As Granny continued to chat to Emma and Henry, Mary Margaret set to work.
Chat name change, Operation SOS to Girls Night Out. She added Regina and Emma to the group.
Mary Margaret: It's all settled, Granny will be watching Henry on Friday night so we can have our night out. No excuses now girls. I'm pretty sure Storybrooke will be tame compared to what Emma has been used to, so I guess it's up to us to show her how we party!
Belle: Fantastic – looking forward to it.
…
Regina: Looks like one gets no choice in the matter then. Fine! I'm not going to that dive of a pub though.
Red: There's a new lounge called The Whispering at the end of Main, let's go there.
Regina: Ruby – is that a strip club?
…
…
Red: Possibly, but I promise it's classy; even you'd approve your Majesty.
Regina: I doubt that, but it can't be worse than the Rabbit Hole.
Leopold trundled passed the warehouses that lined the dock walls looking for his wayward Sheriff. It was then he heard raised voices from inside the one on the end, he easily recognised the distinct accent of his new neighbour.
"Rufio, I don't care! If you need to bring the Roger into dock, so be it. I will ensure it passes the necessary checks." Leo's ears were burning. Did that mean he'd ensure whatever this boat was, was up to the required standards, or that he'd make it look as though they were? He listened as they continued. "We've a new customer base here and more than enough space to handle it. Work with Smee and ensure I get a copy of every receipt so I can deal with the documentation. Am I clear?"
"Ay, boss. I will ensure they all get sent on to you." Leopold heard what he thought was a harsh pat on the back and chose to walk along the front as though he was out for a casual stroll. It wasn't long before both men emerged and he walked up to them.
"Ah, Sheriff, there you are. I'd popped up to the station to see how you were settling and David told me you'd come here, so I thought I'd try and catch you. How are things going?"
"Fantastic. Mayor White, may I introduce you to an old friend, Rufio... Smith. I suggested he expand his business to your shore, thought it will benefit everyone in the long run."
"Oh, and just what is your business, Mr Smith?"
"Trade, Sir. I deal with the finest whiskies and cigars money can buy. Some other liquors too, but the aforementioned would be by far the most in demand."
"Yes," qualified Killian. "I am going to use his business as a test for a tighter security system in relation to the docks and the importing and exporting of goods via the town. I was going to set up a prototype system of sorts and come to you with my proposal, would that be acceptable Mr Mayor?" Nothing about this smelt right, it may have, had he not overheard Rufio calling Killian his boss.
"Okay. I'm willing to look over your proposal. When can I expect it?" Killian turned to Rufio.
"When are you expecting the next shipment?"
"Wednesday, hopefully morning, but definitely by the afternoon." Killian pretended as though he were running numbers through his head or something.
"I could have a proposal on your desk by next Tuesday morning. Would that be acceptable?"
"Fine, but not a day later." He went to walk away, before turning back. "Oh, and Sheriff, I'm expecting every t crossed and I dotted. Do you understand?"
"Aye Sir," Killian threw out as the Mayor left them too it. They watched as he wandered off and Killian pulled Rufio towards him by the scruff of his neck.
"I mean it Rufio, I want every receipt you have. We can only hide the excess if we have a watertight front to this business." Rufio tugged himself away.
"I already told you, I've got this."
"See that you do."
It turned out the 'Roger' as Killian had described was a small, three cargo hold carrier. Mayor White watched from the side lines as five men, one he recognised as Rufio, unloaded the cargo into the warehouse. He knew that warehouse had been abandoned for years. It was technically owned by the town and no-one had filed for usage recently. It irked him that Killian had just taken the liberty to use this space. However, he didn't want to rock the boat just yet and had technically told Killian he could do this as a test case. He was very much intrigued as to what his proposal would be. If it did turn out to be legitimate, it could really benefit the town. On the other hand, he could end up being embroiled in a disastrous scandal that could place his small, coastal town on the map for all the wrong reasons. After taking a few sneaky pictures he left, not wanting to arouse suspicion.