Once Upon A Time ~ Book 1

Chapter 97 - The Queen's Visit

Mary Margaret ran through the woods as fast as she possibly could, the moon being her only light in the darkness. She then came to a halt by a tree, panting, trying to catch her breath. She leaned agaist the tree and looked around nervously, then began to run quickly again.

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Henry sat in the hall of the Sherif's station, reading his fairytale book.
Emma walked into the station, followed by Mr. Gold. "Henry? What are you doing here?" she asked, walking towards him.
He looked up at her. "I came to congratulate you."
"For what?"
"Your genius plan." he smiled.
Emma folded her arms and looked at him inquringly.
"And what plan is that, Henry?" asked Mr. Gold standing by Emma.
Henry looked down at his knees.
"Right." said Mr. Gold in realisation and he stepped into the office.
When he had left the hall Henry looked up at Emma. "Sorry. I thought Mr. Gold was in on it, now that he's Miss. Blanchard's lawyer."
"In on what?"
"The escape plan."
"The what?" she said, her eyes widening a little.
"Sherif, could you join me, please?" said Mr. Gold from the office.
Emma walked quickly into the Sherif's office followed by Henry, to see Mr. Gold standing in front of the empty jail cell, the door obscure.
"She's gone." chanted Mr. Gold.
"Henry, what did you do?" she walked quickly to the cell.
"Nothing. She was gone when I got here."
"Her arraignment's tomorrow. If she's not there......." started Mr. Gold.
"She's a fugitive. Doesn't matter if she's convicted for Kathryn or not, she's screwed." she turned back to them and walked quickly to her office. "I have to find her before someone notices she's missing."
"You mean Regina?" said Mr. Gold.
"The arraignment's at 8:00am. I'm sure she'll be here bright and early to celebrate her victory." Emma grabbed her gun from the draw.
"Well, you have until 8:00am, then."
"What about me? How can I help?" asked Henry.
Emma walked from her office. "Go home."
Henry stepped closer to Emma. "Emma, if she leaves Storybrooke....." he said quitly.
"Not now, Henry. Come on." she took his arm and helped him to the door.
"Miss. Swan......."
Emma turned around to Mr. Gold.
"........I know time is of the essence, but if Miss. Blanchard doesn't return, her future is in jeopardy. And if your caught helping her, so is yours."
"I don't care. I'd rather lose my job than my friend." she turned away and ran out the door.
Mr. Gold turned around and looked around at the empty cell, worried.

Emma hopped into her yellow Bug and reversed out of the Sherif's parking space. She drive away out of the town and to the road between the forest. She looked ahead with the little light she could see with her headlights, then turned her head to look out into the forest, to see any sign of live. Then as she turned a corner, through the mist she saw a dark figure, walking in the middle of the road, wearing a long coat. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the man a few meters from the car, she pulled in quickly, her tyres screeching, as the man fell back into the opposite ditch in reflex.
Emma managed to stop the car and got out, running towards the man. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" she asked, helping him up out of the ditch by the forest.
He coughed loudly, choking a little and got up.
"I didn't see you." said Emma.
"I think so....." he chuckled stepping onto the road.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine." he had dark hair, bright blue eyes and wore a tight smile. "I'm not used to sharing the road with cars so late." he explained. "You're the Sherif, aren't you?" he said, seeing her face in the light of her Bug's headlights.
"Yeah."
"What brings you out here in the middle of the night?"
"Oh, noting to worry about. I'm just looking for a.....lost dog."
"Well, I hope you find it." he smiled.
"Thank you."
He turned and began to limp away.
"Oh, you ate hurt." said Emma seeing his limp.
"No, I just twisted my ankle, I think." he chuckled. "I love just a mile down the road. I'll make it okay."
"No, let me drive you. I insist."
He chuckled again. "Thank you." he held out his hand. "I'm Jefferson."
Emma shook his hand. "Emma." she smiled and she got into the car.
Jefferson got into the passenger seat and closed the door.

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A man with brown hair above his shoulders and bright blue eyes ran through the woods, his long coat billowing as he ran, jumping over roots and running between the trees. He then turned and hide behind the trunk of a fallen tree, and picked from behind it. He then leaned back against the bark and exhaled deeply, catching his breath.
"Papa, I found you." said a little girl's voice from the other side of the trunk.
He chuckled and stepped from behind the trunk, seeing a little ten year old girl in flower patterned dress, with long blond hair and a basket in her hand.
She walked towards him, smiling.
"You certainly did." he took her hand and helped her up. "You must be part bloodhound, my dear Grace."
She giggled. "Now it's my turn to hide and you seek."
He sighed and went down onhis knees. "I'm afraid playtime is over. Though you can still use that nose of yours, to hunt mushrooms. Enough to sell at market tomorrow. You think you can do that?"
She smiled happily and nodded.
"Ready or not, here we come."
They walked hand in hand through the forest, and then cane to halt as they reached their cottage.
"Wait." he said as he saw the Queen's carraige and gaurds outside their cottage, ahead.
"Which carraige is that?" asked Grace.
"The Queen's."
"In our house? Do you know her?"
"Of course not." he put his hand around her shoulder. "Now, listen carefully, okay? I want you to stay hidden in the woods...... Like our game." he smiled. "I'm gonna find out what she's doing here." he walked towards the cottage and Grace watched him go, fear in her big brown eyes.
He turned to her once more and smiled then Grace turned and ran into the woods.
He steped into the cottage to see the Queen standing inside, holding one of Grace's dolls. He shut the door behind him.
She looked him up and down. "I'd like to say you're looking well, Jefferson, but I'd be lying. Poverty doesn't suit you."
"What are you doing here, Regina?"
"I have a job for you."
"I don't do that anymore." he smiled.
"Yes, I heard you hung up your hat. Why?....... Is it because of your sweet daughter, Grace." she held up the fabric doll.
"Because of my work, she lost her mother. I don't want her to lose her father, too."
"So now you're foraging for fungus?"
He shrugged.
"What kind of future does your daughter have here with you?" she stepped closer to him. "Do this one last favour for me and you can give her the life she deserves."
He stepped closer to her, they were now face to face. "That's why I'm staying. You don't abandon family." he leaned even closer, almost touching her face. "That's what she deserves." he leabed back again. "Now please leave."
"All I need is your special skills to get me somewhere.....
Somewhere you've been before. Do it and I can change your life." she held out a piece of parchment.
He looked at her, then took the parchment, gazing at it. "What business could you possibly have there?"
"Something of mine was taken and found its way over there."
He nodded.
"I want it back."
He held out the parchment. "Then find someone else to get it.
She smiled and took the parchment back. "I see. Hard living has strengthened your resolve. Well, I'm sorry I couldn't convince you. But I understand. There's nothing more important than family." she smiled then turned away, opening the door and glancing at him once more before she left.

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Jefferson ~ Jefferson