Cell Block Tango(D.N)

Makin A Friend

I take plates to people at the dinner. I even overhead a conversation about the new girl in town. She's Henry's mom. Henry Mills. As in the Mayors kid. As in the kid my teen roommate babysits. As in the motherfucker who keeps stealing my cookies.

I walk back up to the counter. "Ruby?" I call out she peaks out from behind the counter. "Did you hear about what happened?" "Ya everyone's talking about it." She says grabbing some muffins.

"Wait? Have you seen her?" I ask. "No but Gran checked her in last night." She explains. I look at Gran. "She's blonde about 5'5 wears a red leather jacket I think you'd get along." She says as she checks the register. "What's her name?" "Emma Swan." She answers. "Sounds hot."
"Don't worry if we want more details all I have to do is ask Summer." I text her for anything about Emma.

I get an image. "Here." she hums. "She's pretty and I can see the resemblance." she states. "Me too." the door opens. I see my mini-friend walk in with Henry. "Morning Kiara," "Morning shouldn't you two be at school?" I ask. "Yes, but I'm just dropping him off," she says patting his shoulder. "See ya." she walks out the door.

I look down at him. "Shouldn't you be at school?" "I'm waiting for someone. She likes hot cocoa with whip cream and cinnamon on it." he states. "I think I know who you're talking about," I say sending a knowing glance to Ruby. He sits at a booth and I prepare the order.

The door opens again. A blonde woman enters with a newspaper. She takes an apple and sits down. "Order up," I say sliding the cup towards her. I lean my head on my palm. "Thank you but I did not order that." "I know you gotta admirer." I joke. She looks behind her. She stands up and walks over to Graham.

I turn back around and get back to work these bills ain't gon pay themselves.

Later on in the day, I hear my phone ring. I take it out and check the ID. 'Mini Me' I press answer. "Hell-" "Police station. Now!" she hangs up. I look at the phone confused. Who the fuck is that little girl talkin too?

"Hey Gran. Is it okay if I take off?" I ask as I stick my head in the back. "Sure just be back to clean up and close," she states. "Yes ma'am."

I walk out the door. I take my keys out my pocket and hop on my bike. I turn the key and the engine revs. I place my helmet on my head and start driving to the station.

I walk in and see Henry and Summer. "What the fuck? Did you get arrested?" "what? No. I mean yeah it could've been me. But no it's not me, Regina framed Emma." She rambles. "The hell?" "language!" I look at Henry. "Oh please I'm pretty sure you've said worse." "she has." he confirms.

"See. Now why am I here?" "we need to bail her out and I can't give him my money so I'm gonna hand you the cash and you bail her out." she states. "That it?" "Yep." they nod. "Okay." I shrug.

We walk to the back where the cells are. "Hey!" "Henry? Henry what are you doing here?" he asks. "His mom told him what happened." Summer states. "Of course she did," she says eyeing Graham. She looks at Henry.

"Henry I don't know what she said-" "You're a genius," he states. "What?" "I know what you were up to." she looks at him lost. "You were gathering Intel. For Operation Cobra," he states.
"I'm sorry I'm a bit lost." "you and me both," I state. "I'll tell you later. It's need to know Sheriff. And all you need to know is Kia's gonna bail her out." "You are?" she asks.

I shrug. "Why?" "If Henry and Summer trust you so do I." I state. "Well if you could uncuff me I have something to do." he rakes the cuffs off. "Wanna join me?" she asks. I hand Summer my keys.

I stand on the sidelines instructing her on what to do. "Nice and easy!" I say over the sound of the chainsaw cutting through the apple tree. A big branch falls off. I nod holding up a thumb. "Nice."

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" An angry Regina says marching over to us. "Picking apples." "A little tree trimming kinda an improvement right?" I ask. She shoves past me. "You're out of your mind." "No, you are if you think a shoddy frame job is enough to scare me off. You're gonna have to do better than that," She states. "You come after me one more time I'm coming back for the rest of this tree. Because sister you have no idea what I am capable of." I think I just found my new best friend.

"I suggest you pick your friends wisely," she warns. "If you have something to say, say it to my face," I say looking her dead in her eyes. She tenses up but keeps her composure. "Get the hell off my property." "Gladly." I follow behind Emma.

We get back in the car. "You headed back to work?" "oh ya. I got the graveyard shift so I gotta close." I state. She drops me off I lean down to the window. "Swan? From now on consider us friends" I walk back inside.

Ruby looks at me. "Hey! Where'd you go?" "On the ride of my life," I state.

I finish up cleaning and I'm about to close when the door opens. "we're closed." "I just wanted to say thank you and um pay you back the bail money." I look up at Emma. She places the envelope on the table I'm cleaning. I look at it more than her. I suck my teeth as I look at her disheveled expression. She looks defeated and sad. I have no idea what came over me but. "Sit." I tell her.

I make her and me some cocoa. I grab two muffins. "When we finished destroying her tree you said I could consider you a friend. Why?" "I don't know ever since I heard you were in town I just knew I needed to be your friend." I state. "It's crazy." "I'm starting to reevaluate my definition of crazy," she states.

"For what it's worth I think you are a badass." she chuckles. "It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks I did or didn't do. I'm leaving. Thank you for everything but I think it's for the best. If I don't Henrys only gonna keep getting hurt." "It'll be the same outcome if you go. Believe me that..." I shake my head with a sad smile. "That'll hurt more," I state. "Words from the Wise and my very short-lived psychology major. Maybe the reason you're leaving should be the reason you stay." I suggest.

"You care about him. Who's gonna protect 'im if you don't?" I ask. "Now get out. I gotta close up shop and a new episode of Supernatural airs in 20 minutes so momma gotta get home in 5." I state. I grab her a to-go cup and hand it to her. "Have a nice night. Tell Henry I still need to know what the fuck Operation Cobra is." I shove her out the door and lock it. I take the money and walk to the back after cleaning up.

I see my bike where Summer said it was and drive home.