Once Upon A time - season 1

7:15 am

Storybrooke. Present. The Mills House.

As thunder rumbled in the distance, Henry Mills approached the Stranger, who was working on his motorcycle.  "What are you doing here?" Henry asked.

"Fixing my bike," the Stranger replied, focused on his work.

"No, I mean in Storybrooke," Henry pressed.

"Just visiting," the Stranger answered, glancing at the large case strapped to the back of his motorcycle.

"What's that?" Henry inquired.

"A box," the Stranger replied cryptically.

"What's inside it?" Henry asked.

"Just something I need to do what I came here for," the Stranger said, his tone evasive.

At that moment, Regina exited the house and noticed Henry talking to the Stranger. The Stranger mounted his motorcycle and started it up. "I thought you were just visiting," Henry said, watching as the Stranger prepared to leave.

"Doesn't mean I don't have something to do," the Stranger said with a smirk. Thunder rumbled again as he revved the engine.

"Henry?" Regina called, starting down the path toward the sidewalk.

"Looks like a storm's coming," the Stranger said, before driving off into the gathering storm.

Regina reached Henry, her gaze fixed on the road where the Stranger had disappeared. "Henry, who was that?" Henry shrugged, his expression reflecting a mixture of curiosity and concern.

——

Storybrooke. Present. The Blanchard loft.

Emma Swan sat down at the kitchen table, a plate of breakfast in front of her. The television played in the background, the chief meteorologist's voice filling the room.

"Top of the morning, this is chief meteorologist Bill Gozen with your up-to-the-minute Storybrooke weather. Well, break out those galoshes, folks, it's gonna get soggy. We've got a major storm system moving down the coast. The latest Doppler shows the worst band of precipitation moving into Storybrooke right about the time you're putting the kids to..."

Mary Margaret rushed into the kitchen, toothbrush in her mouth, and spat toothpaste into the sink. "I can't believe I overslept," she exclaimed, frantically gathering her things.

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

"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," Emma said, attempting to calm her friend.

"We're making a volcano," Mary Margaret said, as she hurried out the door.

"Okay," Emma replied, shaking her head with a smile as she returned to her breakfast.

—-

Storybrooke. Present. Granny's Diner.

Mary Margaret hurried into the café and slid into a seat, removing her hat and using a spoon to fix her hair. She cast a glance at the clock, then picked up her book, *The Mysterious Island* by Jules Verne, and pretended to read. David Nolan entered and walked up to the counter. Ruby placed two coffees on the counter. "One cream and sugar. One black."

David handed Ruby money and took the coffees, heading toward the door. He paused at Mary Margaret's table. "Good morning."

"Morning!" Mary Margaret replied, her voice bright.