Far Longer Than Forever

10

STORYBROOKE - PRESENT

Henry walked outside his house to see the same man from the night before. He was fiddling with his motorcycle. He walked up to him.

"What are you doing here?" Henry asked.

"Fixing my bike," the man replied.

"No, I mean in Storybrooke."

"Just visiting."

"What's that?"

"A box."

"What's inside it?"

"Just something I need to do what I came here for."

Henry frowned. "Well, I thought you were just visiting?"

"Doesn't mean I don't have something to do."

The man started his motorcycle. Henry heard Regina's heels clicking and her voice.

"Henry!" Regina called.

"Better get to school," the man said. "Looks like a storm's coming."

He drove off just as Regina reached Henry.

"Henry. Who was that?" Regina asked.

Henry shrugged.

---

Emma was eating breakfast as Mary Margaret scrambled to get ready. A television was on, airing the weather.

"I can't believe I overslept," Mary Margaret said.

"It's only 7:10," Emma told her. "You've got plenty of time to get to school."

"No, I have to be there at 7:15 -- science fair. I'm helping the kids with their project before school."

"I'm sure if you're five minutes late, they'll live."

"We're making a volcano." She left.

"Okay."

---

Mary Margaret arrived at Granny's Diner and sat at one of the tables, took out a book, and fixed her hair in a spoon's reflection. At 7:15, David entered the diner and walked up to the counter. Derek, who was picking up his coffee, watched the scene curiously.

Ruby served him two coffees. "One cream and sugar, one black."

"Thank you," David replied, taking the coffees and noticing Mary Margaret behind him. "Good morning."

"Morning!" Mary Margaret chirped.

"I-I... I should go. I'm going to be late for work."

"Oh, the animal shelter, right? How's that going?"

"Well, the apes haven't taken over."

"Yet."

"Not on my watch."

David left. Mary Margaret saw him meet Kathryn at their car where he gave her the coffee and a kiss on the cheek.

Emma appeared from the back room. "This is making a volcano?"

Mary's Margaret's eyes widened. "I was-"

"I get it."

"He comes here every morning at 7:15 A.M. to get coffee."

"For him and his wife."

"I know, I know, I know. I just like to... come here and see him."

"So you're a stalker?"

Odette nodded. "It would seem so."

"No, not really... Maybe a little bit," Mary Margaret admitted. "I mean, it's not like I'm following him. I just know that he spends his mornings with Kathryn, gets coffee, then drives to the animal shelter to start work around 7:30 and then he's home around 5."