Chapter Text
Emma rushed out of the hospital in a hurry. Her head was spinning and she knew it wasn't all from the latest events. An asylum. Of all the things Regina kept hidden, that was at the top. I guess she really is the Evil Queen. What Emma didn't understand was why? If she enacted the curse to hurt Snow White and Prince Charming like Henry told her, why not put them in the asylum? Yet she gave them a place to live and memories, even if they were false. But from what Emma learned, this 'patient' had no memories of who she was. David was in a coma for twenty-eight years and Ashley was pregnant for that long so she guessed some people got hit worse than others, but this was little too much. This mysterious girl was-Emma could only assume-injected with various medications and wondering why she deserved this every day. From the quick peek she saw in the room it barely had a window and it was dark. Everything was padded except for the cold metal bed.
Whoever this girl was, Regina wanted her to suffer. And more than Snow White or Charming.
Emma knew it was unfair to use the law in her favor but considering what she learned and that she was still the sheriff, she ran every red light and made her way to the infamous pink house as she went over in her head what she was told.
"Who took the file?" she asked the nurse at the desk again.
"A Mr. Dove."
"Dove? Isn't that Gold's lackey? At least that's what the town calls him."
"Yes." the other nurse answered.
"Are you sure you don't know who she was?" Emma could tell the nurse knew what she meant. It wasn't a simple question of making sure. The curse was broken so now everyone knew who they were, and Emma would bet that this one nurse had possibly worked for the Evil Queen before-since she was in charge of this 'section' of the hospital.
The nurse sighed but was adamant. "All I know is that Madam Mayor always came by everyday at the same time to check on her."
"Every day? Why? Who is she exactly?"
Emma hadn't meant to get louder but this lady wasn't really giving her answers. Either she honestly didn't know or she was still working for the Queen. It didn't matter, she wasn't going to talk. So Emma left in a quick turn.
Every day. Regina had checked on the girl every single day at the same time. Emma still couldn't make sense of it. Her phone buzzed and she scowled. She wasn't in any mood to deal with Regina or her parents. Unfortunately the day was to busy to ignore the call. The day's almost over Emma. You can get through this.
"What?" she answered. She wasn't sure if she was glad to hear David on the other end or not. At least he was easier to deal with than Mary Margaret at the moment. She wasted no time before throwing her questions about how she grew up and how she was doing. It was hard to escape her when you currently lived in the same place, so Emma had taken a room at Granny's last night.
"We calmed down the mob."
Emma sighed. "Great. So what's the problem?"
"I'm headed to Gold's house."
She nearly stomped on the breaks before she realized she was practically flying through the streets. "What?!"
"He called Archie. I'm going to check up on it."
"David, wait! We need to talk. Where are you?"
"I'm about to leave the town hall."
Stroke of luck, Emma was just about to pass by. "Stay there. I'm almost there."
"Emma, I know you think you can handl-"
"David, it's really important."
Emma really hoped that he could hear the pleading in her voice and set aside what he knew to actually listen to her. Less than five minutes she stopped at the town hall and thankfully found David waiting.
"What's going on?" But why did Mary Margaret have to be there as well? "Is Regina locked up?"
"Yes. I just came back from the hospital. There's something you need to know."
"What is it?" David asked. Emma decided she didn't like that look. The look of a heroic prince ready to jump into action. Why did they have to be her parents?
Emma looked around to make sure there weren't eavesdroppers listening in. If they got a mob ready for Regina, how would they act for Gold? Especially since even her parents and Regina were wary of him.
"Regina's been keeping someone locked up."
"In the hospital?"
She didn't want Henry listening but the kid was to rash for his own good. Emma had a feeling that this got more dangerous than he thought.
"There's apparently an asylum down there and Regina's been checking up on the patient every day at the same time."
"Why would she do that?"
"I don't know-"
"Who is it?"
"I don't-"
"Do we need to save her? Or him? Why would Regina do this?"
Emma took a deep breath, letting David calm down Mary Margaret. Was she always like this before the curse? Emma wasn't sure she could handle it.
"Apparently the file went missing, convenient, but I think I know who the girl was."
The three looked at her. "Who?"
Emma wasn't sure how to answer it delicately, so she thought about changing the subject a tad. "Wait, why did Gold call Archie?"
David sighed. "Archie didn't say exactly why. Just that Gold needed help."
"And what? You just go barging into his home, demanding answers?"
Her parents looked at each other. "Emma, you don't know him like we do. He's not just Gold, he'-"
"Rumplestiltskin, yeah, I know. But I don't think he's a bad guy in this. Regina definitely is, but-"
"Emma," David stepped forward. "You did a great job. You broke the curse and you set us free. But now we have to deal with Gold and Regina our own way. They're not cursed anymore."
"But Grandpa, you told everyone that the curse changed you for the better. Do you think it changed mom and Mr. Gold too?"
"What?" Emma would have to ask about what happened with the mob later.
"Henry," Snow looked down at her grandson. "it's not that simple."
"Why not?" Emma asked harshly as they looked at her.
"I know you think you know how to deal with Rumplestiltskin, or whatever. But people change. And not everything, or everyone, is what you think they are."
"Emma-"
"No. You don't know everything. I'm telling you. Gold is not the enemy right now. Listen, you got the mob stopped."
"And he got everyone to go back to their lives." Emma looked at Henry. "To show the Evil Queen that her curse couldn't hurt them."
"Great. So why don't you just get back on with your lives and leave Gold alone?"
"Emma," Snow was shocked. This wasn't the Emma she knew. "What's going on?"
Emma was beginning to leave with her mother's question spun her back around. "What's going on?! I don't know what you think Gold is up to, but you don't go banging on his door just because he asked someone for help."
"We just want to make sure he isn't planning on hurting Archie."
"Why would he?"
The question stopped them in their tracks and Emma was grateful. So far, she didn't like Prince Charming and Snow White. Perhaps it was harsh, but this wasn't what a king and queen was suppose to act like.
"You act like Gold doesn't have any emotions. Well, guess what. I've seen them. And whoever this patient is, means something to Gold."
"What do you mean?"
Emma paused. If it would stop them from acting brash, perhaps she should tell them. "The patient is missing."
Her mother's wide eyed expression didn't help Emma feel better about this. "And I think it's the girl I saw at Gold's house."
"What?"
"Who is she?"
Emma sighed. "I don't know. That's why I want to talk to Gold, and if you want to join me, fine." She quickly added before David could get a word out. "But I ask the question and we don't assume the worse. Alright?"
They looked at each other and nodded. If she was going to do this, she was going to do it on her terms. Because like she told the mob, they didn't live in their world anymore. This town wasn't ruled by a King or Queen.
They left together to Gold's house and Emma turned up the radio to ignore her mother's constant questioning. Did she ever shut up?
Belle turned off the television as she finally remember what it was called. She was feeling better, but only a little. The morning sun drained her since she wasn't use to it and than she spent the afternoon either napping or throwing up. Rumple was currently making her dinner but she was afraid she wouldn't be able to hold it down. While she was sleeping Dove had come by earlier with her file from the hospital. Belle got up, trying to ignore the shiver down her spine as she thought about the place. It was only the first day, she knew she would get better. She had to. She couldn't let this keep her afraid.
"What are you making?" She looked at the stove Rumple was standing by.
"A little bit of chicken. Enough to give you energy but hopeful you will be able to keep it down."
Belle frowned. "I'm sorry."
Rumple immediately looked at her and saw the pain. He felt guilt. He hadn't meant to imply anything. He walked up to her and took her face in his hands.
"Love, I didn't mean anything but that. I'm so sorry." He kissed her forehead.
"I know. I'm not upset at you. I just wish I wasn't sick."
"Don't worry. You'll get better. I would use magic to help you, but I feel it might only make it worse."
"How so?" Belle didn't have any objections to using magic. There were times it could help but often than not what she had seen magic do wasn't good. But she knew it was the person and not magic itself that was bad.
"It's been twenty-eight years. Your body needs to heal the right way. It might take longer but it will be better for you."
He was right and she knew it. But why couldn't he just stop the throwing up?
When the food was done they set the table and began to eat. Only for the door to ring at that time. Gold sighed as he got up. It had better be Archie. He didn't want any other visitors, especially a Charming, at the moment. And while he could handle Regina, he knew Belle couldn't.
Apparently the gods weren't on his side because while it wasn't Regina, he was now faced with not one but all the Charmings and that made it worse.
"What do you want dearies?" he scowled quietly. He didn't want to worry Belle but knowing her, she would eventually join the conversation to make sure he didn't hurt anyone. She knew he wasn't in a good mood for visitors at the moment.
"We just want to talk." Emma jumped in before David could. "Can we come in?"
"No."
The short and quick reply took them back for a second but unfortunately the youngest Charming of the group persisted.
"Please? It's really important."
"What exactly is it you want? Because I'm actually waiting for someone else, and that's not you."
"You called Archie." It wasn't a question.
Gold looked at the other man. He would have have bit off their heads-figuratively of course, since Belle was most likely in earshot-since it wasn't their business, but he knew very well that they wouldn't leave without answers. Hopefully this time Miss Swan had some questions wouldn't waste his time.
"Gold, I just-..." Or maybe not. "I just came back from the hospital."
Gold froze. He wanted nothing more than to yell them off of his porch and property and while he would have, he somehow found himself letting them into the living room.
"Wait one moment." He left them to take their own seats while he made his way to the dinning room.
He saw Belle picking at her food but that wasn't what concerned him. "Belle?"
She continued to stare at her food but it was clear that she heard everything. Or at least he thought.
"Sweetheart? Are you alright?" He knelt down beside her but as he reached to touch her forehead, she leaned sideways and out of the chair.
"Belle!"
Regina wanted to scream in frustration. How could she not have her magic back?! The imp mostly likely already had his but than again, it was Rumplestiltskin. But she was the Evil Queen. Magic always ran on emotion and she was always able to get her magic started through her anger. So why wasn't it working? Because she was as angry as she could get. Snow White won again. Emma was keeping Henry, and she was trapped her. And worse of all, she lost her trump card against Gold. She hated Snow more than anyone, but she knew how important that girl was to the imp. She was waiting to use her at the right time and now she was gone! At least, she had to assume. A missing patient at the hospital? Who else could it have been while she was loosing everything else in her life. It always happened. Just when nothing could get worse, it started to rain. The real question was how? How did that girl escape?
And then she realized.
"Jefferson." She gritted her teeth together. Apparently, he was more of a player than she thought. She knew that he knew about Belle before she ever got her. He was the imp's only friend if he could even be considered that, so he had seen her before in his castle in her short stay there. And when he started to work for her he had seen her again. There was no other person who knew Regina had the girl except Jefferson. And now she was going to make him pay as well.
A click was heard and she saw that the cell door opened. And she could feel her magic returning. She smiled at no one and wasted no time leaving the station. She had work to do.
Next time: The Charmings look for Regina while Gold tries to heal Belle. Regina works on a plan that will hurt more than one person.
Sorry for the late update. I really had trouble figuring out how I wanted to write the confrontation between Emma and David. I had trouble finding the right situation and context, so I think I am going to stick with this. It seems to work well for me.
Anyways, thanks for being patience and I will continue to write. Also, please reviews. Writers LOVE those. They are like birthday presents (and my birthday is coming up on the 20th)