Once Upon A Time: Goldilocks comes to Storybrooke

Chapter 58

Whilst David and the Dwarves were busy trying to find Rodgers body underneath all the leaves, Emma and Regina (who had woken up five minutes later) took Goldilocks to Dr Hoppers apartment.

Pongo and Perdita were fast asleep in their beds, and made no sign of waking up.

Goldilocks was shaking due to the shock. Regina convinced her to go to bed, and Goldilocks fell asleep after lots of crying. Emma phoned Regina's landline, and Mary Margaret answered, and she told Emma that Henry was safe with.

"Henry's playing with Roland," Mary Margaret told Emma over the phone. "They're getting along really well."

"I'm glad to hear that," Emma nodded, before realising her mother couldn't actually see her. "Mom, is Will Scarlet with you? I know he looks after Roland now Robin's gone."

"Will?" There was a small sound of shuffling on the other side of the phone call. "Yeah, he's here. He found Regina's wine storage, though."

"That... Shouldn't be a problem," Emma casted a nervous glance at Regina, who, thankfully, was looking the other way. "Can you send Will to Dr Hopper's apartment? We need to talk to him."

"Yeah, I'll send him over," Mary Margaret promised. "How's Regina? Is she safe?"

"She got knocked out, but she fine," Emma confirmed.

Emma heard Mary Margaret sigh with relief. "That's good. Will is on his way."

"Thanks, Mom, bye." Emma hung up. "Will Scarlet is on his way," Emma turned towards Regina. "Should we wake up Goldilocks?"

"Why should we do that?" Regina asked. "She needs to rest."

"Sorry," Emma took a step back, her hands in the air as if to surrender. "Just a suggestion. After all, Will is going to confirm if Rodger's story about going to Oz is true."

"I know. Just - " Regina was silent for a few moments. "It's just - I thought Goldilocks was dead." Regina turned to face Emma. "And then I found her again in Storybrooke. And I promised myself I would look after her, and make sure nothing hurt her again. And then she went through finding out about Peter Pan's death, and then being brainwashed by Cruella. And now Rodger - "

"Regina, you tried your best to protect her," Emma was about to place a hand on Regina's shoulder, but decided against it. "But this is Storybrooke we live in. You can't expect the easy, fairy tale life here "

Regina laughed. "No, I suppose you can't."

Just then there was a knock at the door. Emma practically jumped over the sofa to open it. There stood Will Scarlet. He was dressed in jeans and a black jacket, which was unzipped, so you could see a dark shirt underneath. He had short hair, which was slightly spiky.

"Sheriff," he addressed Emma, giving a sarcastic bow. "Mary Margaret sent me."

"Get in," Emma sighed, unamused.

Will grinned and entered. "Wait, what!?" He half yelled in disgust, looking at the coffee table.

"What?" Emma asked, closing the door.

"I've walked a very long way to get here, and you haven't even got a bottle of wine or whisky out for me!?"

"Save it, Knave," Regina folded her arms and walked over to him. "We've called your here on serious matters."

"You've never lost your fire, have you, Evil Queen?" Will asked.

Regina smirked. "And I never will."

They sat down.

"So, how can a common thief like me help the saviour?" Will asked.

"Do you know this man?" Emma asked he spread out her hand, and a picture of Rodger appeared. She handed it to Will.

"Oh yeah, I remember him. I met him in Oz. What was his name? Rupert? Rodger? Nah, can't remember. He was alright. In a bit of a bloody hurry though!"

"What did you do?" Emma asked, starting to give suggestions. "Did you talk? Exchange goods - "

"Calm down woman," Will scoffed. "Actually, we traded. He said he needed something to travel. I couldn't give him a golden carriage, but I did give him a magic bean, and he made me a sword using magic. Rip off though, it bloody evaporated the next day! Cheat, I thought."

"Because you're obviously not a cheater," Regina muttered.

"Hey, I might be a thief, but I'm not a liar, backstabber, or a bloody cheat."

"Okay, anything else?" Emma hurriedly stopped Will.

"He mentioned his wife and daughter, but he didn't give any names. That's all I can remember."

"Rodger was telling the truth," Emma told Regina.

"Oh, he was here?" Will asked.

"Yes, but he died," Emma explained.

... Ahh, that's a shame, I'm sorry to hear that," Will said, though he didn't sound too sorry. He stood up. "Can I go now?"

"Yes, please do," Regina muttered.

"So I don't get a reward for my help?" Will asked teasingly.

"OUT!!" Regina and Emma yelled, pointing to the door. Will left with a smug look in his face.

Regina turned to face Emma. "what do we tell Goldilocks?"

"Nothing, she heard every word," Emma nodded to Regina, signaling her to turn her head.

Regina turned around to see Goldilocks to leaning against the wall, a sad expression on her face.

Regina stood up. "Goldilocks, are you okay?"

Goldilocks just nodded.

Regina looked at Emma, slightly worried. Emma bit her lip and stood up. "Anything you need? Food - we could go to Granny's?"

"I'm okay thanks. Am I allowed to go out?" Goldilocks asked.

"Where?" Regina raised an eyebrow.

Goldilocks shrugged. "Just to the beach."

"Do you want us to come with you?" Emma asked. "I don't think going alone is the best idea."

"Yeah, last time you sent to the beach on your own you were tricked by Cruella and you passed out," Regina asked.

"Please?" Goldilocks sounded slightly desperate. "I just need to be alone for a few minutes."

Emma and Regina looked at each other. "Okay. But you have to meet us at Granny's Diner in fifteen minutes, no later."

Goldilocks nodded. "I will, thank you."

Goldilocks quickly stroked Pongo and Perdita before grabbing her coat and running out of the apartment, before Emma or Regina could change their minds.