I believe you're my happy ending

Chapter 1 : one versus everyone

The entire town seemed well decided to blame the fallen queen for this unforgivable act. The hatted mayor who tried so hard to redeem herself just committed a terrible felony for some obscure reason. Emma was the only one believing in her innocence. She couldn't figure why the mayor would have committed such an action, it didn't make sense. She tried to convince her parents...without success.

Snow : Come on Emma, it is not the first time she makes some unconvienient witness disapeared.

Emma : It is completely no sense at all. Everything she made since I came here was to protect Henry, to make him safe or just to keep him with her. Why would she killed the poor Archi?

Charming: Emma, I am proud that you try not to judge herself to fast but we know her better than you. Archie would certainly know things which could make in danger her relation with Henry and she discovered it.

Emma : You think you know her but all you can see is her past. Regina is no longer the Evil Queen you knew.

Snow: Emma, Regina lost her humanity long time ago. I am not surprised that you want to see the good in her, I also tried, for so long... but she is a lost cause.

Emma : You don't get it. I KNOW she is innocent, I just can't prove it right now.

David: Why do you care so much about it? You never liked her neither trusted her. You stayed in Storybrook for this reason, remember?

Emma: She wanted to protect Henry, I understood it later.

Snow: Look at the facts Emma...

Emma : Like I looked at them when you were accused for the murder of Katheryn

Her mother stopped arguing. There was nothing more to say. Angry, Emma leaved the apartment and made her way to her office. Regina Mills was waiting for her. What a surprise!

Regina : I can see you are still diligent sheriff...

Emma: I am not in the mood Regina. Why are you here?

Regina : I am innocent Miss Swan, I need you to believe me...

Emma met the dark hair's gaze. If she had any doubt, her super power confirmed her that the mayor didn't lied. But she didn't have an doubt and was focus to find a way to prove the ex Evil Queen innocence. Misunderstanding Emma's silence, Regina voice became a bit more pleading.

Regina: Miss Swan, I never would have done that, not anymore, I...

Emma met again the gaze of the lady in front of her. There was fear in it, a real fear to loose everything she fight for.

Emma : I know Regina, I believe you.

Regina: You do?

Emma: I do.

Passed the surprise, Regina wear again her condescending, snooty face. With arrogance and some hidden gratitude, she retorted:

Regina : Obvisouly you believe me because I AM innocent. So do your job and get me out of here.

Telling that, she showed with her eyes the cell surrounding her.

Emma: I didn't put you in jail yet, didn't I?

This intent of joke didn't make a beginning of smile on the Queen's face. She preferred giving a black and furious gaze to the blond sheriff. Emma sigh while sitting on her desk.

Emma: Have you any idea of who could be responsible for this trap?

Regina gave to her old enemies' daughter a new black and furious gaze as she does it so well.

Regina: In case you didn't notice before Miss Swan, almost everyone in this town would be more than happy to see me in jail...or no longer see me at all...

Emma : Let me reformulate, who can be that crual and hate you that much to be able to... You know. Who can kill someone like Archi just to make you guilty and destroy your life? Noone is that crual?!

Regina: Welcome to the real world sheriff, load people are willing for everything to get me...

Emma spend a long time staring at Regina. The mask she showed to the rest of the world disappeared for a second, showing so much despair, pain, abandon. Not thinking twice, just by reflex, Emma hugged this woman who risked to lose everything once again. Few seconds passed before Regina realized it. First, the warmth of the contact made her feel better, reminding her a feeling of safety she forgot a long time ago. Then she remembered who was hugging her and she came off suddenly.

Regina : What the hell do you think you are doing?

Emma seemed as surprised as her

Emma: I... sorry I just...

The savor sigh once again et closed her eyes, attempting to push away this flow of emotions given by the powerful woman in front of her.

Emma: I really need to know who do you think is capable of such an action to get you. It has to be someone who can beneficiate of your pain and your absence, someone who is afraid of your power and influence....

Regina : This description suits me very well...

Emma: You mean suited you... Regina, believe me, this is nothing like the person you became, the person I know.

Regina: The only unhabitant of Storybrook I can think about is Mr Gold... but my dear Rumpelstinskin is way smarter than that, especially with Belle in town.

Emma: Then who?

Regina: You want me to do your job sheriff?

David choosed this moment to come into the room, full of anger

David: Emma we find evidences against Regina. I know you don't want to hear it but she is guilty. We need to find her before she creates more troubles.

Emma frowned while Charming, noticing the Evil Queen's presence became even angrier. He jumped toward her and grabbed her at the collar to finally push her brutally in the cell.

Emma: Dad, stop. She's innocent.

David: I know you want to believe she changed but she hasn't. We have a witness and trust me, he can't lie.

Regina didn't move a single hair when the Prince attacked her. She could easily have escaped by magic but she wasn't a coward. She wouldn't escape and let everyone condemn her. She would face them. Emma gave her a sorry face and followed her father outside the office.