Twice Upon A Tale

S1E10

7:15 A.M

Emma had started off the day rough; first she'd realized that they were out of her favourite cereal, then the weather reports were coming in at full-tilt with an expected storm, and lastly, she'd even watched Mary Margaret struggle to get out of the door on time.

And Mary Margaret never rushed out. She was always timely, organized and calm. Emma knew it was going to be a rough day when her normally cool as a cucumber roommate was rushing around like a little pixie cut hurricane trying to brush her teeth and put on her socks at the same time.

Of course, the second she got dressed for work she went outside to immediately realize that the weather reporters were not joking around; the air was cold, the wind was already blowing, and the chill that sunk to her bones was entirely unwelcome. By the time she got to the sheriff's station, she had realized all too late that she should've traded in her winter jacket for something warmer.

Thankfully, she had worn a pair of warmer boots but a warmer jacket would've been a good idea too.

Cursing and swearing, by the time she got inside she was bombarded with calls. Townspeople from all over town were panicking, calling to request all sorts of things in preparation for the storm.

The Nuns didn't have a backup generator for the church, Granny needed a sign secured so it wouldn't blow through her diner's front window with the wind, and several local businesses had called about getting plywood temporarily put over the front of their windows so the wind wouldn't damage the glass.

And that was just the half of it.

Emma sighed, really wishing she had hired a deputy after Graham's abrupt and unfortunate passing. It was a lot of work for just herself to get done.

Cracking her knuckles and deciding it was now or never, she rummaged through the coat closet until she found a police-issued winter jacket with 'Sheriff' written on the front. She pulled it on and went out to her own car, where she dug out a wool hat she'd had tucked in the glove box for years. It was the warmest hat she'd ever owned, and it had never failed her before. She'd never been cold as long as she'd had this hat.

Tugging it on over her wind-ruined hair, Emma locked her own bug and pocketed the keys before unlocking the police cruiser and sliding in the front seat easily. The wind was picking up, and she knew it would only be a matter of time before the rain started in on top of it.

She needed to get going.

~

Around noon she'd stopped by the drugstore to purchase some extra batteries and flashlights. She'd been stopped by the sidewalk, stuffing flashlights into bags in the trunk of the squad car, when none other than the mayor herself appeared.

Bundled up in a long black coat and a pair of boots that probably cost more than Emma's car, Regina still managed to look graceful and elegant while also being outside in the unforgiving cold of the outside air.

"Miss Swan" Regina greets, stopping on the sidewalk next to Emma. Up close, she can see the other woman's pink nose and cheeks from the bite of the cold.

"Regina" Emma greets, not pausing her movements. She had a lot to get done, and she couldn't let Regina slow her down.

"I need you to do something for me"

"Wow, straight to it today huh? No pleasantries. Gee Regina, my day is going fan-fucking-tastic thanks for asking" Emma grumbled, rolling her eyes as she turned to face the mayor. "Why would I do you a favour? We aren't friends, remember" Emma pointed out, a phrase Regina herself had said many times.