The Thief Who Stole her Heart

8

*A/N: Happy Thanksgiving and if you don't celebrate, enjoy your Thursday tomorrow!*

Emma's POV

I was closing up at the station when I got a text from Neal. He informed me that he had some information on Tamara and Greg and needed to talk to me ASAP. Without fully processing the idea, I replied that I would meet him at his place.

What I said didn't dawn on me until I was starting up the bug.

Oh God I thought. I was going to his place. I quickly shook off my nerves and laughed it off to myself. I had been around Neal plenty of times since he'd been back, so what was the big deal now?

"Because you'll be alone at his place," a little voice whispered in my head. Again, I shook it off or I tried to at least. The thought refused to leave my mind though. I turned on the radio in hopes of drowning it out and made my way over to Neal's. It was a small little house he was renting just near the town line. It seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and I wondered if Rumple had anything to do with its sudden arrival.

I sat in the car a little while after I arrived to gather my nerves. I shouldn't even be nervous. It was just Neal. Yes, it was just Neal, I kept repeating to myself as I now made my way to the door.

I rung the door bell and waited, my heart beat increasing with each passing second. I was so frustrated with myself. Why was I acting this way? There was nothing between Neal and me except Henry.

"Hi Neal," I squeaked out when he opened the door. I cleared my throat and said hello again.

Get it together, Emma! I told myself.

"Hey Emma, come on in." He said and stepped aside. I walked into the dimly lit living room whose only light source were a flat screen TV mantled on the wall and a small lamp. Neal turned on the ceiling light and the sudden shift took my eyes a moment to adjust.

"So what is it?" I asked, trying to appear calm and nonchalant.

"Well I went to see Tamara today," He began. Why did that bother me?

It doesn't I thought, however the following thought said otherwise. I nodded my head.

"I think Greg was over there. She took a while to open the door and when she was did, she was kinda nervous. She's never been nervous around me before. Anyways there was this thump and she went to check it out and I followed her. I overheard their conversation and recorded it." He explained.

"Let me hear it." I told him as I waited for him to play the recording. He did and although it was low, I could make out Greg and Tamara's voices.

"I know it's nothing solid, but it's something right?" Neal asked with his voice full of hope. A half smile crept on my face.

"Yeah it is." I replied.

"What do you think they are up to?" He asked as he took a seat on the sofa's arm. I sat down on the actual sofa, being careful to keep some distance between us.

"I don't know. It has to be connected to the list though." I answered. He agreed.

"How do you think she got it? It can't just be a lucky guess." He said.

"I'm still trying to piece it together. I doubt anyone offered up the info, certainly not that much. It could have been Archie though..." I answered and started thinking out loud.

"Archie?" Neal repeated with an arched eyebrow.

"Jiminy Cricket aka the town's shrink." I replied.

"Oh," he mouthed. "Maybe I can ask her about it?" Neal suggested.

"And that wouldn't be suspicious at all," I commented sarcastically.

"Well there has to be some way to get it out of her," Neal said.

"I know. I'll think of one. You know you still should be careful around her. She could be dangerous." I warned. Neal laughed, which caused me to make a face.

"Are you worried about me?" He asked jokingly.

"You and everyone else in this town, it's my job, remember?" I replied with my best poker face.

"Uh huh," He mused.

"Nice place you got here." I commented, desperate for a topic shift.

"Thanks, my dad found it." He said. I could tell the word "dad" felt awkward coming out of it mouth. I understood the feeling all too well.

"He did, did he? Where was he when I was looking for a place?" I mumbled under my breath.

"Beats me," He said. I looked surprise and this got another laugh out of him.

"I heard that." He said.

"I see." I replied with a laugh. I looked slightly past Neal and spotted a familiar object, the dream catcher.

"You still have that?" I asked as I went over to it.

I traced the feathers hanging below it and it took me back to the first time I held it. All those years ago in the crappy hotel Neal and I were stashed away in. When we decided to move to Tallahassee, to finally settle down. For some reason I smiled and the memory made me feel happy. Usually any thoughts about my past with Neal caused me to be angry, sad, or a mixture of both.

"Of course I did," Neal said. His voice was low, but it sounded awfully close. I turned around and nearly bumped into him. Since when did he leave the couch? He reached passed me and flicked the dream catcher with his finger, causing it to spin just a bit.

"Remember when we got it?" He asked. I nodded my head.

"I do." I replied. I kept my eyes on the catcher and my face turned away from Neal. I was too afraid my facial expressions would betray the guard I was trying desperately to keep up.

"You know Emma; I meant every word I said. Every promise, everything. I meant it." Neal said. I swallowed hard, but didn't speak. I couldn't even if I wanted to.

Suddenly I felt Neal's hand under my chin and he turned my face towards his.

"Emma," He said slowly.

"Yes?" I answered; my voice was low as well. He closed his eyes and I followed. I breathed in his scent as his face got closer to mine and I felt his warm breath.

When our lips met, I felt all those feelings I was trying so hard to conceal. The hurt, the betrayal. The hidden love that I was determined to keep under lock and key was slipping out.

I was lost in all of those emotions, but I came to my senses when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Reality came crashing down as realization set in.

I had just kissed Neal!

"Hello?" I answered. I didn't even bother to look at the ID; I just had to get away from Neal at that moment.

"Emma, come quick something is wrong." Mary Margaret's terrified voice said on the other end.

"What is it?" I asked with alarm.

"Regina is missing." She said. I wasn't sure how she knew that, but I didn't have time to think. I hung up and reached for my keys.

"Where are you going?" Neal asked as he followed me.

"It's an emergency." I told him, reaching for the door.

"Is it Henry?" He asked.

"No, he's fine." I said. "It's Regina. I don't have time to explain." I told him and tried to leave again.

He threw on his coat and followed me out.

"Neal..." I waved him off.

"I'm coming with you." He said firmly. I didn't try to argue any further. We hopped in my bug and I sped off in the direction of my apartment.