The sequel is here. Hopefully it's not too late.

I was never not going to write this but it was difficult to figure out where to begin. But I think I got it right this time.

Enjoy.

Storybrooke, Maine

January 2, 2014

Every morning, much like this one, Regina imagined that a blonde was there next to her. She remembered what the bed felt like when they woke up together. It was an empty space now but it was the only way to handle the thought of getting out of bed every day. This was the only way to accomplish such a feat.

She sat up and left the bed, giving no glance back there so it was easier to think that Emma was just still sleeping. That proved a challenge, however, since when Emma had once slept there her scent was left on the pillows. Pillows she slept on until they lost their former owner's smell.

Her phone started ringing but she refused the call and left for the bathroom. It was Snow or David. Hook was gone so it wasn't him. Sometimes Tinkerbell called to check on her. Every time someone checked in she had to avoid snapping at them.

They were being kind, she came to realize. It wasn't pity as she would have previously thought. Some of them actually shared her pain. But she didn't do kind and sympathetic. She did alone and suffering well enough. Change only caused her more hurt.

They were trying to find a way to help but the only thing that would help was to bring back Henry and Emma. And, unfortunately, there were just too many obstacles in the way of that ever happening.

She showered, got dressed, and pretended that maybe Henry went to class early.

She'd stuck to this routine since they arrived back in Storybrooke a month ago.

Today was the second day of the second month.

The days were supposed to get easier but she guessed it took a lot more time when she lost her son and the love of her life at the same time, in the same way. For the same reason: she loved them too much.

There was a quiet walk to the diner. When the bell of the diner rang, the stares went ignored. She ordered her coffee to-go with Ruby who tried to get more than those same words out of her. She asked if there was anything she could do at least once or twice a week and because there wasn't a direct dislike between them in the past, she politely declined each time.

When her phone rang again, she reluctantly picked up. "Hello?"

"Regina, I've been trying to call you all morning." Snow's voice filtered through the speaker and she couldn't really find the energy to be completely annoyed by it. Snow and David were really all she had left of Emma and Henry, even though Emma and Henry were much more pleasant company.

"Not today, Snow."

"You say that every time I call."

"I was hoping at some point you would catch the hint that I don't want to do this now or any other day."

Snow sighed on the other end. "Are you going back there again today?"

"I go there every day." Regina reached for the coffee extended to her and nodded her thanks to Ruby who tried to give her a smile that wasn't worried or concerned.

She left the diner with the coffee and headed there.

"Maybe you shouldn't go so often. I know it hurts but the reminder may be making it worse."

"Wouldn't you like to know if we could actually leave this town?"

"Of course, I want to know but-"

"Don't." Regina warned.

"Regina-"

"I don't need your help, Snow. I want to be alone. I want be left alone."

Regina ended the call before Snow could say anything else. They had a similar conversation almost every day. Emma was a sore subject between the both of them. They both missed Emma and Henry and Snow chose optimism while Regina was torn between hope and depression.

She pocketed her phone and dumped her coffee into the trash can next to her. Not many people were out and about this morning. She was grateful for that as she wiped the tear welling up in her right eye and used her magic to transport her elsewhere.

As the smoke dissipated, Regina walked towards the white line. She closed her fists at her sides, taking a breath that was meant to calm her or at least keep her tears at bay. Regina raised her hands and reached out slowly, wishing for the barrier keeping them inside to be gone. To be one step closer to getting Emma and Henry back.

"Emma…" She whispered into the crisp winter air.

To her disappointment, her fingers were stopped by the green shimmer that had brought her sadness – and not really enough anger, to urge her to wreck any havoc on people – just sadness.

Her heart had not darkened after Emma left. Not that she could remember what happened after very well. The Savior and the son they shared brought her a happiness she'd never experienced before. So, no, her heart did not turn cold when her loves left.

It just started to shatter. Slowly.

Long Island City, New York

January 9, 2014

"Another!"

The glass slammed down against the counter, cracking around the rim. Luckily, it was small enough for the bartender to only give an eye roll from annoyance rather than a scowl from a broken glass.

"Are you sure about that buddy?" Richard, currently manning the bar, skeptically asked.

"Sorry…" The man frowned, pressing his fingers into the counter. "Maybe that was a bit rude. Although, I doubt you've ever met anyone who can drink like me and still navigate a ship at the same time. So, please, can you pour me another, mate?"

"Whatever you say." Richard pursed his lips before supplying another shot of tequila. The man wasn't wrong though, he didn't seem the least bit drunk despite the five shots of whiskey he had prior to this second shot of tequila.

He watched with a raised eyebrow as the man pushed his index finger into the counter, a menu trapped under it. He pulled it over to himself and examined it with look of confusion for several minutes before he slowly looked up and smirked.

"Add this, uh, Guinness to that."

Reluctantly, the bartender started to make the drink for him with a pensive expression. There was something weird about this guy. "What was your name again?" He asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

An eyebrow raised at him, something smug passing over his blue eyes. "Captain Hook."

Richard snorted and shook his head in amusement. This guy definitely drunker than he looked. It was a nice act though. Almost could've passed as sober.

"Captain Hook, huh? Where's the perm?"

A scowl was immediately received in return.

"Why does everyone keep mentioning that?"

"Look, if you don't know the cartoon then there's no way anyone will believe you anyway." Richard said sitting the Guinness down in front of him. "You don't look the part. Definitely not Robin Williams."

"Who?" Richard opened his mouth to say something but stopped at the dismissive hand wave. "Never mind. I suppose a more…modern name would suffice. It's Killian Jones."

"Modern. Sure." He said. "Why all the drinking? Fight with your girlfriend?"

"Of course not. The last fight I had with a woman was about Rum. Said she doesn't have taste for it. Ever the storyteller that woman." Killian grinned, bringing the tall glass of Guinness to his lips.

"This woman…you love her?"

"Love?" Killian sighed. "I don't love. Not very well but I do care about her. She's why I'm stuck here, in a place I don't know…trying to fix a happy ending."

"Ain't no happy endings on this side of New York. So you must be new to the city then."

"Very."

"How did you get here exactly?"

"Magic bean…Trolls, my ship. Everything happened and now I'm here. Lost and finally coming to terms with the fact that I don't understand the modern world as much as I thought."

Richard nodded. He chose not to voice his opinion. Magic beans and trolls? The guy had to be drunk or just insane or whatever woman he had spoke of really did a number on him. Either way, whatever his problem, that drink was going to be his last and he'd be sharing his odd story with a cab driver after this.

"I didn't think it'd be this bloody difficult to find two people." Killian muttered, not really speaking to the bartender anymore and realizing no way was he going to be believed anyway.

"You're looking for someone or people…at a bar?"

"I've been here a week with nothing to show for it."

"Well at least you've helped me reach my quota for the night." Richard joked.

"Right." Killian nodded. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out his wallet. "Payment."

It took him two days to really grasp the concept of American money. Shillings and dollars were not similar enough for him to easily transition. Regina hadn't gotten too deep in her teaching for that but at the very least she gave him money in case he ever really needed it outside of Storybrooke. Of course, there was the couple pay checks he'd gotten from being a new deputy at the station for the time they were living in peace, but he was learning this place was very expensive.

How convenient that curse was then because here he was in New York with a bunch of cash and something Regina had called a black card for emergencies only. Considering he had no earthly idea how to function out here and he was suppose to be searching for Emma, this was an emergency.

"How much?"

"Uh, you've racked up $87.61."

He fished out a hundred and left it on the counter before standing up from the stood, shoving the wallet back in its place. Richard raised an eyebrow at him, looking for any sign of keys. His pockets didn't clink or jingle so maybe it was safe to assume the man wasn't driving but he nodded over to the security to let them know to keep watch.

"Keep the change, mate." He called over his shoulder, exiting bar.

Fortunately for everyone, Killian Jones, did not own a car. Nor did he wish to.

The pirate walked back to his room at a small hotel where a book and a vial of liquid waited for him to finally return with a plan. A plan he still did not have.

New York City, New York

January 11, 2014

"Henry. Come on, buddy. Don't make us late. We got 15 minutes for breakfast." The blonde called as she plated scrambled eggs next to a small stack of pancakes. The sound of Henry's sneakers against the floor came from his room but they didn't get any closer to the table as she wished.

With a confused frown, Emma walked down the hall of their apartment to see what he was up to. She could've guessed the reason for the delay though as she opened the door to his room.

"Henry." She sighed.

The boy looked up from his frantic writing in his notebook with a sheepish expression and quickly scooped up his stuff into his back pack. She ruffled his hair when he passed her. Emma followed, now curious what had been taking up all his attention recently.

Henry sat down at the table and Emma picked up the two mugs left on the counter.

"Mom, you forgot it again." He smirked, cutting a bite of his pancakes.

"Right, right." Emma chuckled. He wrinkled his nose shortly when she kissed the top of his head on her way back into the kitchen. Shortly, the cinnamon was placed next to his hand and Emma sat down at across from him.

"Where's yours?" Henry asked. She'd opted for coffee this morning which was actually unusual.

"Gotta take a rain check on cocoa today, kid." She said, taking a long drink of coffee.

"Why?"

"I need the energy. I've been a little slammed at work. Sleep is for the dead."

"You should put that on your business card. It'll really attract customers."

Emma flung a napkin at him as he laughed. "Sure, smart guy. You try marketing that." She looked down to the headline of the newspaper, immediately uninterested. "So speaking of being busy…what have you been up to, Hen? You're distracted."

"It's my new story. I'm really inspired." His smile lit up the room.

"That's…great. Can I have a peek? A premise?" Emma asked.

"It's about the Evil Queen…"

"The Disney character?"

"Yes and no. Obviously that version is two dimensional. I think she should have a reason for wanting to hurt Snow White and being prettier isn't a good reason. She needs depth. A background."

"Yeah, I get all that but what is it about?"

"Well, I haven't gotten really far. She's trapped in a mirror in present day Tallahassee and someone buys her mirror but they can't see her…but she can see them and she falls in love. I haven't worked out the rest yet."

Henry bit his lip in worry after being met with silence. Silence that carried on for a long minute. He looked up from his plate and Emma blinked out of her thoughts. A smile slowly appeared on her face.

"That's really amazing Henry. I'd love to read that. It does sound sad though. Happy ending?"

"Duh. I'm not an angsty teenager…yet."

"Yet." Emma snorted, finishing off her coffee. "We have a busy day ahead of us…"

"Busy? It's just school and work."

"I can't believe you forgot. New puppy day, Henry."

His face lit up again. Two year old excitement returning to his preteen body in seconds. "You're bringing Duchess home after work, right?"

"Only if you hurry up so we won't be late."

"Oh, my jacket!"

Emma shook her head watching him sprint to his room as she cleared the table.

New York City, New York; Downington Middle School

January 14, 2014

Killian took a deep breath and looked across the street at the horde of rushing parents and children.

His eyes instantly fell upon a blonde woman and a dark-haired boy walking side by side, no doubt discussing something to do with those comic book things Henry had shown him before Pan's curse had hit.

He smiled at the sight of them, having spent a whole year without seeing their faces. It wasn't until in that moment did he realize that he really missed them both.

With the backpack in his hand, he nervously smoothed back his now much longer hair. He cautiously looked to the street finding that only a bus and a few cars were down the road and driving annoyingly slow. So, he fell in line with the parents walking their kids across the street, keeping his eyes on the pair he was looking for.

It'd taken a few days trying to figure this out. He knew Emma but not this Emma. She could be completely different from the savior he first met. Emma did look different from where he was. Her clothes were certainly different but she was still Emma. Had to be.

As he got closer and closer his thoughts drifted to Regina. He wasn't sure how things were going with his friend but the last time he was with her, he knew bringing Emma and Henry back would do a lot of good. She wasn't in a terrible place but living without them wasn't nearly as manageable she tried to believe it was.

He left her to die in the hands of Greg and Tamara. So, he was going to bring them back to her. She was owed that much.

Emma and Henry stopped their walk to the big brick building. They were talking. Henry smiling and nodding. Now he was only a few feet away and closing the distance so he pulled out his phone, pretending to be very distracted by its contents with the replacement backpack in his hand.

"You need a haircut, man." Emma was saying, raking a hand through his messy hair.

"I know, Mom." Henry groaned.

Right then Killian collided with Henry, knocking the backpack off his shoulder and dropping the decoy one as well. Surprisingly, that didn't get noticed by either of them.

"Jesus. I'm sorry." He said to Emma then to Henry. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

Emma smiled tightly with a nod, suspicious as always. So, obviously still protective of her son. He picked up the bag he'd brought and handed it to Henry with a small smile. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm okay." Henry said, accepting his bag. "I'm fine."

"I'm sorry about that. I know better." He looked to Emma for her reaction, only finding an unreadable expression and a raised eyebrow. "I'm really sorry about that."

"It's alright. He's fine." Her eyes flickered to Henry. "You're alright, right, Henry?"

"I am. Really." The boy answered.

"Okay. That's good." Killian nodded, picking up Henry's backpack. "Enjoy your day."

"Yeah. You do the same." Emma replied with a small frown.

She and Henry watched him disappear into a crowd before the teen looked over to his mother.

"Did he look kind of familiar to you?" Henry asked with a frown of his own.

"Faintly. I don't know where from. Maybe looks like a guy from those emo bands you listen to…" From the hair and the thick beard, Henry was sure she had a point but that wasn't it. Emma shook her head and turned back to her son. "Alright, you need to get to class. Don't be late."

"Okay. See you later, Mom." He said, beginning to walk off with his bag over his shoulder.

"Hey, not so fast." She complained pulling him backwards by the hook in his bag. Knowing what he forgot, Henry gave her a hug and she wrapped an arm around him. She pressed a quick kiss to the top of his nearly shaggy hair and let him go before he could start complaining.

He darted from under her arm and towards the front doors of the school.

"Have a good day, kid." She called after him, fishing out her car keys.

"You, too, Mom." Henry said back, waving at her.

He stepped into the cool building, glad he left his jacket in his locker the previous day. The first warning rang over his head and he hurried to locker to grab the homework he'd finished Friday.

The blue locker, labeled 108 was conveniently two seconds from his homeroom.

"Good morning, Mr. Swan." A tall man with bright red hair and thick rimmed glasses passed by him.

"Morning, Mr. Cooper."

"Ready for that science experiment today, I hope."

"Absolutely." Henry agreed with a nod.

"If you can get into class before the bell, you can help me start setting up."

"Sure." He said, twisting in the combination quickly and yanking it open.

His science teacher looked happy to hear the news as he disappeared down another hallway. "Thank you, Henry."

Henry pulled his bag from his shoulder and unzipped to put his social studies book inside. To his surprise as he dropped in the heavy book, it fell in easily. That usually wasn't the case since he always had two notebooks for writing so naturally it needed a shove to be properly placed in the bag. The other surprise was that it was suddenly much heavier, well at least he noticed the major difference.

He pulled the book back out and frowned when a big brown book took the place of all his stuff.

"What the-" Henry frowned deeply.

"Henry, class is starting in a moment." His homeroom teacher said from the doorway to the classroom.

"Okay."

He zipped the bag back up with his confusion only deepening. He grabbed an empty notebook from his locker and closed it back. The bag was over his shoulder again, his book and notebook in his hand at his side.

"Can I borrow a pencil?" He asked as he stepped over the threshold of the classroom just when the bell rang.

"Of course, you can, Henry." His teacher said.

Henry walked to his desk with a pensive expression. A big brown book with four words in bright gold.

Once Upon A Time.

SQ won't be parted for long.

Shall we continue?