𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | 𝐨𝐮𝐚𝐭

𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐍

The last few days had been…Interesting, to say the least.

Mary Margaret’s long lost husband, and Emma’s father, had awoken from the coma he’d been under for, well, the past 28 years. Of course, no one knew the truth behind all of these events.

No one but her.

And the one who put the curse in this town.

And the one who procured it for her in the first place.

God, she should’ve convinced Emma to go back in Boston.

Not that it would actually work, since her best friend was happily—although very slowly—getting settled into her newfound role as a mother. Besides, Emma was also seemingly starting to enjoy life in Storybrooke, Maine.

“So he wants you to become a deputy?” Amy asked, referring to the sheriff.

“Yup.”

“Just like that? No references, no CV needed?”

Emma nodded, taking a sip of her cocoa.

“I don’t know man, sounds weird.”

“Everything in this town is weird,” her friend said.

Oh, you have no idea, Amy thought as she watched Emma obliviously sip her cocoa. Ignorance was truly bliss in their case.

As Amy took a sip of her own coffee, the bell above the door rang, signaling the arrival of a new customer.

“How was your walk with Henry?” Oh, it had to be her, didn’t it? “That’s right I know everything. But relax I don’t mind,” Regina said, taking a seat across from Emma, which put her directly next to Amy.

Great. Just great.

Emma didn’t seem to buy into whatever new plan Regina had come up with to kick her out of town. “You don’t?” she asked, a small smile on her face.

“No. Because you no longer worry me, Ms. Swan. You see, I did a little digging into who you are, and what I found out was quite soothing. It all comes down to the number seven.”

Amy let out a quiet sigh, already knowing what was coming next.

Phoenix.

Albuquerque.

Kansas City.

Emma glanced at her for a moment, before returning her focus on the Mayor. “Seven?” she asked.

Springfield.

Harrisburg.

Boston.

“It’s the number of addresses you’ve had in the past decade,” Regina said, looking quite smug as she did so. “Your longest stint anywhere was two years. Really, what did you enjoy so much about Tallahassee?”

Tallahassee.

Her hand slipped slightly, letting the cup she was holding fall down on the table with a small thump, thankfully not spilling anything. “You know,” Amy started, trying to keep her voice steady and the memories from resurfacing, “if you keep showing up wherever I go, I’m gonna have to call Graham and file some stalking charges.”

Regina didn’t respond, didn’t even look at her, instead she kept her gaze on Emma.

Emma glanced at her once again, probably trying to keep the same memories at bay as Amy was. “If you were wondering, we did find a place here in town.”

“I know. With Ms. Blanchard,” she said, her contempt barely concealed. “How long is your lease? Oh wait. You don’t have one. You see my point? In order for something to grow, Ms. Swan, it needs roots, and you don’t have any. People don’t change; they only fool themselves into believing they can.”