LONG STORY SHORT ~ Emma Swan and Killian Jones

SNOW FALLS

Jo stared at the tree line, waiting for her teacher to appear.

What was she doing? Lying to her family, to Eion, working with the most powerful one known to man, and for what? Magic? Knowledge?

"Don't start doubting me now, Josephine." The shrill voice startled her, Jo turned on her heels, being met with Rumplestiltskin. "You have the knowledge to make you great. Take it."

Jo nodded, pushing any feelings of regret and guilt to the back of her mind. That is where her lesson began.

Take the power and knowledge. No matter what.

***

Josephine was walking Bayard down the street when she caught sight of Emma and Mary Margaret.

Picking up the small dog, she crossed the street over to them.

"Hey guya!" She greeted, looking over the two women. "What are we talking about?"

"Love." Emma remarked, Josie sending her a questioning look. "Mary Margaret had a bad date."

"I knew you shouldn't have gone out with Whale." Josie said, cursing herself as she did. "I should have said something."

"How did you know it was Whale?" Mary Margaret asked, and Josie shrugged. "Josie!"

"I know things!" She excused, sending a smile to Emma before her attention was back on Mary Margaret. "Seriously, c'mon, Whale?"

"I - I wanted a date! I can't necessarily expect you to understand."

"Yeah, what is going on with you and the Sheriff?" Emma cut in, crossing her arms as she turned to Josie.

"We were engaged once." Josie told her, and Emma straightened up. "We aren't together anymore. Due to threats towards his job."

"What?" Emma asked. "You two aren't together? You could have fooled me."

"Regina isn't my biggest fan." Josie told her. "But she can't break us up if we aren't together. Despite what may come off to others."

Bayard yawned, and that was Josies que to go home. She smiled to both of them before beginning to walk backwards.

"Someone is ready for bed." She noted, petting Bayard as she did. "Goodnight, you two."

Mary Margaret and Emma both said a quick 'goodnight' to Josie as she walked in the opposite direction she had come from. Josies house was on the very edge of the town line. This big, off white, mansion. She's in her own little world there. Only Graham and the Mayor know it's her house, and the town doesn't care enough to find out. She wasn't even sure anyone knew it existed.

Walking through the arched front doors she let Bayard off his leash and hung it on a coat rack in the entrance. From there, she took her coat and shoes off, and went to the upper level kitchen. It was a really big house. This was the kitchen she kept all her ingredients for random drinks, drinks no one else - including Eion - had heard of.

Josie Scarlet and her mansion. It really was her own little world.

***

"I found your father."

Henry told Emma, showing her his storybook. "Prince Charming."

"Henry-" Emma started, trying to understand his view on everything.

"He's in the hospital. In a coma." Henry told her, moving the book slightly towards her. "See this scar? He has one too."