Once Upon A time - season 1

Fruit of the poisonous tree

Storybrooke, Castle Playground.

Henry rode up on his bike just as Emma Swan stepped out of her squad car. She called out, "Hey, kid." Henry rode right past her, barely acknowledging her presence. "Good to see you, too!" Emma added a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

Henry dismounted his bike and hurried towards the severely damaged castle. "The storm!" he exclaimed.

Emma followed him, trying to reassure him. "It's okay, we can fix it. I'll talk to Marco."

Henry started digging in the ground at the base of the castle. "I think it's still here!"

"What are you looking for?" Emma asked, curious.

"My book!" Henry replied, his hands working quickly through the dirt.

"Why'd you bury it here?" Emma asked, puzzled.

"So my mom doesn't find it," Henry explained.

"Hiding it under your mattress wasn't good enough?" Emma inquired.

"That's the first place the Evil Queen would look," Henry said, continuing to dig. He finally unearthed a box and opened it, revealing the storybook inside. "Good," he said with a relieved smile.

Emma suggested, "How about leaving it with me?"

"That's the second place," Henry said, closing the box and starting to rebury it. As they were finishing up, Regina Mills approached from her parked car. "Henry? Henry!" she called out, her voice filled with concern. "I've been looking everywhere for you! You know you have a session with Archie this morning." Turning to Emma, she added, "Should have known he was with you. Henry, car! Now."

Henry reluctantly headed for the car. Regina's gaze turned sharply towards Emma. "You let him play here?"

"The storm hit it pretty hard," Emma said defensively, "but we can fix it."

Regina's frustration was evident. "Well, can you fix a cracked cranium? That's what you'll have on your hands if one of these boards collapses under his weight. You're not thinking about Henry or his safety, just ways around me. Miss Swan, don't let your feelings cloud your judgment. People can get hurt."

Emma's expression hardened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Regina's tone was stern as she replied, "You're the sheriff now. It's time to be responsible."

——

Storybrooke, Granny's Diner, interior. Emma and Mary Margaret are seated at a table.

Emma and Mary Margaret sat in the diner, the conversation taking a tense turn. "Don't let my feelings cloud my judgment?" Emma said, her voice edged with frustration. "That's all Regina ever does."

Mary Margaret looked down, her fingers fiddling with her phone. "She's just upset because you and Henry have a special place and she... she doesn't."

Emma leaned in, curiosity piqued. "How'd she find out about the castle in the first place?"

Mary Margaret sighed. "She knows everything about this town; she's the Mayor."

Her phone vibrated, and she glanced at it. The camera cut to the screen, showing a text from David: "We need to talk. Meet at our spot."

Emma noticed the shift in Mary Margaret's demeanor. "Everything okay?"

Mary Margaret nodded, standing up quickly. "Yeah, I just need to go." She touched Emma's arm briefly as she passed. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I think you're right. I see the effect she has on Henry."