I Know The End || Killian Jones

𝟶𝟺 - 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚏 𝚜𝚠𝚊𝚗

storybrooke, maine

— WHEN AJATRI HEARD A KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR, EMMA WAS NOT THE PERSON SHE EXPECTED TO FIND ON THE OTHER SIDE. "Emma." She greeted with a smile that was only slightly confused.

"Hi..." She looked uncertain, as if she'd debated simply walking away for a good minute before knocking. "I, uh... I wanted to talk to you, if you're not busy."

"Not at all." She replied easily. "Come on in."

As she stepped inside, Emma couldn't help but admire the spacious and rustic-looking interior. "You've got a nice place."

Aja chuckled. "Can't really blame you for sounding surprised. It was my parents' house. I just got it after they died. Coffee?"

"Oh, sure, thanks." Emma lingered in the living room, just taking everything in as Aja disappeared into the kitchen, tugging off a flour-stained apron as she did. When she returned, she was flour-free and carrying two steaming mugs in hand.

"Black coffee, right?"

Emma smiled in thanks as she took the mug. "Yeah. Thank you." She glanced back at the display over the mantle a second; a hefty-looking mahogany bow that looked to be made of carved branches. The string looked dangerous enough to cut throats, and a quiver full of arrows half-hid in the background. "Nice decor. You ever need to use it?" There was a lilt of joking in her tone at that last bit.

Aja's lip twitched. "Oh, all the time. Lots of nosy neighbours around here." She chuckled quietly to herself. "No, it's just for show, really. I made it myself with my dad." Emma shot her an appreciative look as they sat down. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Uhm..." Emma gave a small sigh. "It's about Graham, actually."

Aja's eyes turned sympathetic. "I'm so sorry about what happened to him. He was a good person."

She nodded. "As far as I can tell, you're the only one who really knew him at all besides Regina." She hesitated only another moment before continuing. "But it's been two weeks, and she wants to appoint Sidney Glass."

The raven-haired woman pursed her lips. "Yeah... I heard about that."

Emma leaned forward, as if sensing her hesitation. "So...? What do you really think about all this?"

She set her mug down, biting on her bottom lip for a second as she gathered her thoughts. "I think that you should be Sheriff." She admitted. "I think you'd be really good at it, and I don't think Sidney would have a clue what he was doing. I... I trust you."

"Don't you also trust Regina?" Emma prompted.

She nodded slowly. "I do. But more than anyone else I trust my gut, and right now it's telling me that she's in pain. Losing Graham, Henry slipping away from her... none of these things are your fault, but she is choosing to blame you unfairly."

"Gold said I can run against Sidney for the job."

"I heard about that." Aja smiled. "I also heard you interrupted the Mayor's ceremony of appointment to declare that you were running. It was bold. I like it."

Emma looked over at her hopefully. "So... I guess what I really wanted to ask you... is if you'll back me. I know she's your friend, I just..." she trailed off with a sigh. Aja didn't owe her anything, but she knew she'd feel better with someone people trusted backing her.

"Hey." Aja reminded her gently. "You're my friend too."

"I am?" Emma blinked, making the woman chuckle.

"Of course you are. Henry hardly ever stops talking about you, so by consequence, I hear a lot about you from Grey too."

"What does your gut tell you?"