Serendipity

Chapter 5: Breaking Glass

At the sheriff station. Emma and Elsa continue their research on the Snow Queen."Somewhere in here, there's got to be something on her."

"There has to be a better strategy."Surely there was. At least that's what Elsa was beginning to believe."While we're reading files, my sister is out there somewhere. We have to confront this Snow Queen."

"Believe me, if I could, we would. We have to find her first. And, Elsa, we have to be careful. This woman is tricky. She seems to know both of us, and we don't remember anything about her. And something tells me that that is not an accident."

"You think she took our memories?" That thought certainly had caught Elsa's attention.

Emma nodded. "I'm really good with names and faces. It was my job. She took them, all right. The question is why. We need to find out what the hell she's up to."

Hook enters with another box."Paperwork, ahoy! Old city records from the mayor's office, per your request."

"I've had my shots."

"What a relief. Now, I've served me time. So when will I be free?"Will asked.

"When I say so."

"Well... I'm off to take Henry and Hope sailing, love, unless there's something else you want me to do here." Hook said and Emma shook her head.

Will: Befriending the son to get in with the mum? Yep, no one will ever see through that.

"Why don't you keep your thoughts to yourself... Mate." Hook kisses Emma on the cheek."Goodbye."

Hook leaves and Elsa finds pictures."Emma, look. Why are there pictures of you mixed in with the city records?"

"Let's just say when Regina was mayor, she abused her power a bit. She was looking for any reason to run me out of town. That's the first time Henry and I went for hot cocoa. When I walked him to school for the first time."

Emma finds a picture of the Snow Queen and her."Emma? What is it?"

"It's me and her."

"And you still don't remember any of this?" Elsa asked.

"No, but I know someone who may... The person who had the photos taken."

Emma drives her and Elsa to the woods."You okay?"Elsa asked.

"It's just the pictures. Reminds me of when I first got here. Regina and I hated each other. Well, "hate" might be the wrong word, but we did not mix."

"But it seems like you've come a long way since then."Elsa added, "I think this sounds like something you two should talk about alone. You know, if things were getting better between you two before, maybe they can again."

"Doubt it. I screwed her over. Once you screw someone over, there's no getting them back."

"What makes you say that?"Elsa asked.

"Experience." That was all she could say as memories came flooding back. Those in Hopkins, Minnesota, 1998. Emma is at a food store. A girl watches her and leaves. Emma steals food but get catch. The girl rescues her." I've been looking all over for you. Just go with it. Thanks for hanging on to that till I got us a cart."

"You two girls are on your own?"

Lily nodded."Our parents are outside in the car. They sent us to grab a few things." The woman just smiled and walked away."You know, the whole "stuffing things under your shirt" move never works. You need one of these. Lift some plastic, and you can buy whatever you want."

"I'll remember that next time."

"Wait!"Emma had begun to walk away when the girl called after her, causing her to stop as the girl ran up beside her again."You're part of my cover now. So what do you say? Hold onto your bag and run."