Chapter Text
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Bad idea! This cannot be happening!" Henry thought to himself, as he darted laboriously down dark alleyways. All for a girl, Paige. If he wouldn't have been showing off, cops wouldn't have been called.Hansel had told him girls liked the bad boys. Vandalizing and busting windows wasn't usually his thing, but Paige was there, and Hansel had pestered him about it.His feet pounding the pavement, his lungs burning, sucking in air becoming harder with each step. He dashed through an alley, plowing into the chest of a very solid person.
"Sorry sir", he managed through gasps, before realizing who he was apologizing to. The cop he was evading.
"In a hurry young lad?" The cop asked before grabbing Henry's arm. "Come on, I need to speak with your parents."
He was plotting good excuses the entire ride, poorly he might add. His mom was going to kill him.
"Where do you live...?" He started.
"Henry. 614 Walnut Ridge." He said, embarrassed. The bad part of town, full of rundown apartments and houses. He shifted uncomfortably, dreading facing his mom.
They pull into the complex, Henry slowly sliding out of the car.
"Lead the way." The officer says, holding his arm out, sounding more sincere than before. Henry knew. Everyone treated him differently when they discovered where he lived. Either mockery or pity. This cop was showing pity. Eyes of residents burning holes all through his body as he passed them.
"Here." Henry said, "but she may not be able to answer the door. She works at 8 and it's 7:15. She may be in the shower. " He was trying to get out of this. To be able to walk in, without his mom having to know an officer was his ride home.
"Nice try lad. But you broke a many laws. I can't just let it slip without repercussion now."
Officer Killian Jones was reading a book when the call came in. Kids spotted smashing windows of all the buildings on 6th street. 6 kids total.
"Copy that. I'm on 5th and can be there pronto. May need backup due to the number."
"I'll be there shortly", Officer David Nolan chimed back.
He should have known they'd run. And bloody hell were they quick, he thought. "Got runners. I'm on foot. One suspect, maybe 13." He wouldn't even be chasing him if this wasn't the third time this week they destroyed property. It took no time at all to catch the boy. He knew these streets like the back of his hand. The next part was never his favorite.
He knocked on the door. He heard a muffled "coming", along with nearing footsteps.
She opened the door stunned, and instantly pissed. Trying to stay calm, leaning against the door frame, she finally opened her mouth.
"Yes?" She said, knowing his purpose.
"Goo-uh well evening ma'am. Sorry to be coming to your door at this hour, but your boy here was part of a group of 6 that were destroying property. This isn't the first offense, I'm afraid."
She looked at Henry to get inside, eyes saying she would be dealing with him later. Her towel falling from her head as she jerked her head.
"Sorry officer..." she squinted at his chest, "Jones. This won't happen again. My boy isn't usually a trouble maker. He's just at that age, or so they say. Absent father, adolescent teen." She said, scrunching her hair in the towel.
"I just don't want to see him in trouble to the point of juvie ma'am."
"Please quit calling me that. Emma Swan is my name. I'm not old."
He had noticed. He wasn't expecting someone so, well, young.
"Aye, it's just good form. Apologies, Ms. Swan."
"Well if there's anything else, I'd appreciate it if you'd hurry. I need to get ready for work. I can't afford to be late again. This shift is short enough without being late."
"Aye, I suppose that's all. I hope to not be bringing the lad back here under similar conditions." He smiled.
"Same, well goodnight officer." She said, watching him lift a hand and turn to leave. She couldn't help but watch him. He was one of the most attractive officers she'd laid eyes on. Those blue eyes, too pretty to belong on a man, his scruff that covered just enough of his face but complimenting his sharp jaw line, and that accent! She closed her door, letting out a long sigh. Not even having realized she was holding her breath."Time for work."
She arrived at the diner, walking in like her world was crumbling.
"Uh oh. What is it?" Her long time friend, Ruby asked as she shoveled past.
"Henry. A cop brought him home. A cop, Ruby! I'm failing him."
"Oh Em, you're not failing him. You've been the best mother I've ever seen. You sacrifice everything for him. Don't you, for one second, think you're failing! Maybe ask him about it when he gets out of school tomorrow. Have him come here. Ground him. Just do what you have to until you figure out why he's acting out."
Emma sighed, "I know why. He's thirteen and fatherless. He is at the crutial age where he needs a father."
"Emma! Ruby! Back to work. You're not being paid to sit around and chat." Granny had said, peering out of her office.
"Just talk to him." Ruby said, grabbing two plates and heading to a table.
Emma was cleaning up one last time before finally closing.
"Need a ride home?" Ruby asked, grabbing her coat.
"No I'm fine. I could use the fresh air. Gather My thoughts. I'm...nevermind. I'll see you at six."
"Emma, what is it?" She studied Emma for a moment. "You're not? I thought you didn't do that anymore. It's not safe. I worry about you Em."
Emma gave her a soft, fake smile. "I don't have a choice, Rube. I can't make rent working here alone. Not with all the other bills anyways. I'm going to be safe. I promise. I log in with my employer. They know where I am and who I'm with. I have a specific time to check in before my boss sends some people to find me. I will be okay."
"But it's already midnight. You have to be back here at six. You will only have a few hours of sleep before working a full shift. "
Emma was done discussing it, walked out, trying to hide her anger. She had somewhere to be.
She left the hotel where she had met her client. Breathing fresh air, just wanting a shower and her bed. She looked at her phone for the time.
Two. Damn. Leaves me barely any sleep.
She sighed, wrapping her arms around herself and walked. She had only walked a few minutes when a car crept up beside her.
"Excuse me, love. Do you need a ride?"
oh God! It's him
"No officer, I'm fine. I'm not too far now." She gave him her fake smile.
"Please let me. It's freezing and I know you've had a bad day. It's the least I could do for bringing your boy home in such a manner."
She looked at him through the passenger window, sighing. He gave her a childish, goofy, (and sexy, no Emma not sexy!)grin. She slid into the seat, hoping she didn't smell too bad.
"Well no need in telling me where you live." He joked, attempting to break the silence.
"Yeah." Was all she murmured.
He was trying to make light conversarion, but failing miserably. She smelled like sex. Sex, smoke, and alcohol. He shook his head, trying to avoid her in such a room.
"I thought you worked at the diner." He stated, with a questioning tone while trying not to pry too much.
"I do. I got off at midnight. Had another job back that way." She said, pointing behind her.
"But there's nothing that way."
She noticed his intrusion. "Is there a problem officer?" She hissed, eyes low, searing a hole in his head.
"Sorry love. Just trying to keep the silence away. Wasn't trying to pry." He silenced for a moment. "I mean...it is a problem if what you're doing is illegal." He said, back to his smug, condescending tone.
"Don't worry officer. I'm not a fucking prostitute. Do I look like one?! You know what, don't answer that. Let me out. This far is fine."
"I just don't want your boy without a mother. You mentioned he has no father. I-"
"Let me stop you right there, you self righteous prick. My child is none of your concern. He won't be getting into trouble again. I'm a grown ass woman. I can handle myself. Everything I do is for my son, I don't need this. Fuck off." She snarled, slamming the car door and turned the corner.
"Bloody hell." Was all he could muster.