Realm of Shadows

Summary: As Emma repays the favour owed to Mr. Gold it becomes the key to unlocking many things in Storybrooke.

Pairings:Emma/Regina (eventually)

Disclaimers:I do not own OUaT or any of it's characters. I do, however, like to take them out of their boxes and play with them.

A/N: It's been awhile since I've written fanfiction, so any comments that help me become a better writer are always welcomed. This is unbeta-ed (any volunteers? ;) So all mistakes are mine alone.

Chapter One

He used to look so peaceful when he slept. As a baby he liked her to cuddle him and rock him to sleep in the heavy oak rocker. When he was teething and would fuss, just holding him close to her and humming a melody was enough to settle him down. In time the baby turned into a child. Still, the years of scraped knees, schoolyard tussles and even a sprained arm from falling off of his bike, could be mended with a kiss and a warm apple cobbler. As a small boy he would let her snuggle with him as she read him a nighttime story. He used to let her kiss his forehead. And he used to smile at her and respond "I love you too, mom." when she tucked him into bed.

She was a good mom and she thought she truly cared for her son; but did she do it out of love or duty? The question had nagged at her throughout his childhood. At times she honestly thought that it was out of love for the little boy who adored her. But many had adored her in her life, and she had loved only two. One she had lost and one she had killed.

Regina Mills stood in the wooden framed doorway of her son Henry's room. Soft light from the bathroom bathed the boy in a gentle white glow. His brow furrowed as he tossed in his sleep. She longed to comfort him. She had taken for granted the times that he welcomed her touch, her hugs or any part of her. Perhaps she truly did feel love for her son; tonight she felt the pangs of regret that she had lost his affection for her. But was it because she loved him or because he no longer adored her? She blew him a kiss, knowing that even that was not wanted by the boy, and quietly closed the heavy wooden door till she heard it softly click.

Regina savored the taste of the apple cider as it swirled in her mouth. The crystal goblet, intricately cut, held the amber liquor that she had stilled from her own tree. One more sip then she took her silver letter opener to the unmarked manila envelope and read the latest report. Regina had been watching her. For over two months now Emma had seemed to move in and invade the Mayor's life. 4x6 matte finished photos of the irritating blond and Henry were splayed across her mahogany living room table as she picked them up one by one and scowled. She had thought it was a good idea to have Sidney follow them, stalk them really, to ensure that Henry was safe. I've lost him. She stared at one photo for minutes. A smiling Emma and Henry looking downward, heads tilted together conspiratorially. Regina could almost hear the soft laughter emanating from the picture. Her lip curled in contempt as she felt the familiar anger rising in her chest. I..Don't…Lose.

Emma rolled over in her warm bed and cussed when she saw the digital bedside clock. She swore louder when she realized she had set her alarm for 8pm rather than 8am on Monday morning and now she was running late…again. She picked her jeans up off of the floor and pulled them up over her hips then grabbed a clean white t-shirt from the drawer and tucked it into her jeans. She pulled on her boots as she hopped down the stairs. Clutching her red leather jacket in one hand and a muffin in the other she slammed the door on her way out. The wheels on the Sheriff's car spun on the gravel as she hastily pulled into the traffic lane and raced to the Mayor's office.

Regina looked at her delicate watch and pursed her lips. 9:02am and the Sheriff was late for their meeting…again. She poured herself a second cup of coffee with one sugar and was cradling the cup, letting the warmth seep into her hands, when the intercom chimed. "Madame Mayor,…" Michael's voice declared "…Sheriff Swan is here to see you."

Regina acknowledged the page and straightened her suit jacket. She gracefully sat down as she pinned her eyes on the disheveled Sheriff. "Miss Swan," she began, her silky voice laced with disdain, "Surely you realize that I'm a very busy woman. You are ten minutes late and obviously ill prepared for our meeting."

Emma sighed. Here we go again.

Regina looked pointedly at her watch then back to the Sheriff. "Unfortunately I no longer have the time to meet with you this morning. Plan to be here all morning tomorrow. I do expect you to be prompt; we have many important items to discuss." She waved her hand to dismiss Emma. "Go. Do your best to keep my little town safe, won't you." Regina had already opened a file and was studying it intently, leaving Emma to see herself out.

"Ok, bye to you too." Emma muttered as she left the office.

Mr. Gold scrutinized the heavy set cloaked figure standing in his shop. "Are you certain? And she is behind it?" He asked, his voice tinged with unease.

"I am sure; the path has been shown to me." Came the slow, steady response from the old woman.

The pawnbroker took the sheet of parchment paper, rolled it up into a coil and wrapped the ribbon carefully around it. "And the other woman?" He pressed.

The woman slowly shook her head. "If the one dies, everything is lost, for that I have seen."

Mr. Gold felt the thrill go through him. "And the rest of us?" His patience grew thin.

The old woman shrugged. "Perhaps with more…time I will have a clearer vision, but for now all I see is the mist."

Mr. Gold knew a stalling technique when he saw one. The woman obviously knew more than she was letting on but experience had taught him that no amount of cajoling would force her to tell him more until she was ready. Or well paid. "Very well, then. Leave me and let me consider what you have said." He pressed a few gold coins into her hand as shadow bowed and hobbled from the shop.

He went to his back office where the light was better and unrolled the sheet. The details didn't make sense, but the gypsy had never led him astray. He just needed more time. Time to prepare, to plan, to organize; for one way or another time itself was about to run out.

The Sheriff's office was quiet most of the morning. The few phone calls she received were minor complaints of someone parked in a loading only zone, a stray dog digging in Mrs. Edwards's flower garden, and that a streetlight was burned out on Main Street. The offending vehicle left even as the caller was on the phone. Emma called the Vet's office to follow up on the dog and the Maintenance Department about the light.

The afternoon promised to be just as quiet so Emma leaned back in her solid chair, leather boots propped up on her desk as she read the Daily Mirror. The door slammed and the Mayor stormed in. "Is this really how you spend the taxpayers' hard earned money, Miss Swan? By amusing yourself with that local rag and marking up city property with your boot soles."

Emma didn't budge as the Mayor glared at her. "Good afternoon, Madame Mayor." She glanced at Regina and smirked. "As you can see, all is quiet in Storybrooke."

Regina's eyes narrowed. "Unless you have a magic mirror you can't see much of my town from your desk. Shouldn't you be out patrolling, stopping trouble before it gets out of hand? We do pay you a salary and it's not to lounge around here."

Emma folded the newspaper and tossed it unceremoniously onto the desk. "Sure, why not? Maybe you want to take a ride with me?" Emma gave the Mayor an innocent look.

Regina arched a perfectly shaped brow. "Miss Swan, I really don't have time to joyride with you."

Emma laughed "Suit yourself, I'm out of here."

Regina watched the Sheriff's departure and tried to recall the last time someone dared laugh at her. She snapped her head up when she heard the sound of the car horn blare. How dare she wave at me!

Emma drove unhurriedly up the main street as she looked into each storefront window making sure nothing was amiss. She sighed when she realized there really was nothing to do. It was nearly time for school to let out, so she turned the corner and headed south. She parked on the street in her usual spot. She went there daily on school days, hoping to catch a glimpse of Henry as well as to make sure that all the school kids were safe crossing the streets. Within a few minutes the school doors opened as children poured out of them.

A smiling Mary Margaret soon appeared at the entrance as her class departed the building. She looked for Emma and gave her a quick wave. Emma smiled back and gestured at the teacher. Henry was nowhere to been seen until Emma looked up and saw him entering his mom's black Mercedes. Hey Kid. Once the school yard was emptied, Emma drove back downtown towards the Sheriff's office. Her heart twinged a bit and she rubbed her sternum to help with the ache.

On a whim, she turned the corner, driving past the strip of shops that housed some of the more popular businesses in town. The sunlight reflected in the glass of the shops as she slowly cruised by in the police car. She didn't expect to see Mr. Gold standing outside of his pawn shop beckoning to her. "Miss Swan…" He approached her car as she pulled to the curb. "Might I have ten minutes of your time, Sheriff? Inside my shop." She hesitated before unlatching her seatbelt and following the man inside through the dim retail portion of his shop into the private back area.

"Please, have a seat, Sheriff." Emma sat on the oak chair as Mr. Gold turned to the stove and began heating water in the kettle. He sat across the small table and hung his cane on the back of his chair. "Now, shall we…." Emma waited with a mixture of dread and curiosity. Mr. Gold had that effect on people.

The kettle whistled and Mr. Gold gestured to the stove. "Sheriff, would you mind since I'm already sitting." He tapped his leg for emphasis. Emma stood and turned the stove off. She poured the water into the porcelain teapot and brought it to the table. Mr. Gold seeped the leaves in the pot while he spoke. "I've decided to call in my favor with you." Emma's heart sank; she knew this day would come but she had hoped it wouldn't be for a very, very long time. Still, she found the strength to look the man in his eyes and quirk her eyebrow.

"Alright, what's the deal? And nothing illegal Mr. Gold, I'm Sheriff now and I can't just go out and break the law."

Mr. Gold chuckled softly. "Oh trust me dearie, it's completely legal…." He poured the tea into the delicate cups and handed one saucer to Emma."…I want you and Henry to be nice to Regina Mills."

It took a moment for the words to sink in before Emma laughed. "That's it? That's your big favor? Act nice to the Mayor?" Emma shook her head in amazement. "Yeah I can do that."

Mr. Gold sipped his tea and gently sat the cup onto the matching saucer before meeting the Sheriff's blue eyes. "Ah ah ah, dearie, not act nice to Regina, BE nice to her. And your son needs to do the same. No matter how vile she gets, no matter how much hate and anger she throws your way, you will be nice. That is the favor I'm calling in."

Emma studied him while he calmly took another sip of his tea. "And if I refuse?"

Mr. Gold smirked at the question he had been asked a thousand times in his life. "Then, Miss Swan, you will owe me two favors-legal or not."

Emma considered this. "Alright, for how long?" She asked.

Mr. Gold was thoughtful before answering. "One month should be enough time."

Emma took a deep breath before responding with a grimace on her face. "Ok, deal."