I do not own OUAT just adore the characters. Completely AU & totally OOC in places. If that isn't your thing, you don`t know what you're missing. Any resemblance to Corporations mentioned in this work of fiction are purely coincidental and in no way reflect their morality, code of ethics or business practices of afore mentioned Corporations. NO infringements are intended.
TW- Character death & grief
In The Way Back. Ch1
The blonde`s hair stuck plastered to her scalp the beads of perspiration on her flushed skin beginning to run down her face and limbs splashed onto the gymnasium floor as the perspiration trickling down her back and under her arms soaked darkly through her grey t-shirt. Letting out shallow puffs she continued to attack the heavy bag with a flurry of quick punches
"Hit the bag don`t push it"
How many times had she heard her partner try to correct her punches, she`d lost count?
"Let your fist snap back to you after impact. Don`t pull back, just let the impact rebound your hand back to you"
"Remind me why I`m even listening to you?"
"Trust me, the experienced fighter will use the snap technique it allows for harder and faster punches while using less energy"
Rolling her eyes but doing as instructed the blonde had to admit David`s advice was sound as punch after punch connected with the bag soundly, leaving her arms feeling relatively fresh and not dead weights too heavy to lift, yet.
"Good. Good. That's better, much better kid"
Another eye roll accompanied a sarcastic chuckle
"Uh ok… Daaad. You make it sound like we didn`t graduate the Academy together or have you forgotten how I beat your raggedy ass to Class Spokesperson and the Director`s Leadership Award? You pushed so hard"
"You`ll never let me forget that, will you? Gloat while you can."
"Hell no. Beating your lilywhite ass is still one of the greatest achievement of my insignificant little life"
"I thought your greatest achievement was taking Director Gold`s daughter, what was her name again?"
"Miranda"
"Yeah, Miranda`s virginity in the back of your bug?" David sniggered
The blonde shrugged her shoulders, offering her partner her cockiest grin she gave the situation a little more thought before adding
"I guess being with Miri is up there with my greatest moments"
"One of your dumbest moments more like, idiot. You were an arrogant son of a bitch back then but I can`t deny you beat me fairly and got the girl now how about we work on some flowing combinations?"
"You actually got the right girl Nolan, all I got was a broken heart and a permanent reprimand. Let's just agree that I was young and an idiot"
"Still an idiot" David muttered under his breath
Relaxing her posture Emma threw non-stop rat-ta-tat-tat combinations with small breaks in between the combo`s so she could dodge imaginary punches and dance around the bag
"Never leave more than a 3 second pause between punches and sometimes even that can be too long kid, the trick is to be natural. Speed and snap Em, speed and snap. Keep eye contact and don`t attack like a maniac, remember read your opponents body language and always remain calm and relaxed"
A final flurry of combinations and movement around the heavy bag saw her partner's muscles flexing as he struggled to hold onto the bag under her prolonged attention. Arms dropping to her sides Emma`s chest heaved as sweat tricked down her body
"Enough. I`m done" She puffed "Good workout"
"Lightweight. Remember Swan, good punching means snapping and flowing not pushing and waiting. Let's hit the showers I`ll wait for you in the corridor"
"Gotcha and thanks David I appreciate the advice and coaching"
"We`re partners. I`ve got your back kid"
"Ugh! Stop calling me kid I`m 28 and we all know that's too old to be called kid."
SQ
David waited patiently in the corridor, leaning his muscular frame against the wall his sports bag rested between his feet, amused he watched as Swan stumbled from the changing room red leather jacket askew across her shoulders one arm sheathed the other clumsily chasing the illusive second arm hole around and around in circles. Shaking his head David chuckled knowingly, whilst Swan excelled at being a confident and an extremely capable FBI Special Agent when presented with certain situations and social expectations she found herself extremely clumsy and awkward.
"I have it on good authority that you're one of the best the FBI has to offer and you can`t even dress yourself. Tell me again how you beat me?" He asked holding her jacket steady whist she threaded her arm through the sleeve while they walked towards the parking garage
"Thanks for the assist. It was mostly down to quick wit, a dazzling smile and long blonde locks" Emma flicked her hair seductively over her shoulder "Nothing at all to do with working my fucking ass off while you chased a fully-fledged, pixie haired FBI Agent around campus like a dog on heat" Emma winked
"Point taken. Talking of a pixie haired Agent, you`re still coming to the apartment for dinner right? Mary Margaret`s expecting you"
Emma blew out a held breath
"Dinner with Special Agent in Charge (SAiC) Blanchard. Sure. Why not. How bad could it be?"
"Hey that's my darling wife your disparaging"
Emma`s lips widened into a teasing smile "You know I`m just messing I adore Mary Margaret, ya Jerk"
"Why do we put up with you kid?"
"Enough with the kid already." Emma Huffed "As you always remind me. We`re family"
Although David was ten years Emma`s senior they had become fast friends during their training at Quantico becoming partner`s when their field assignments landed them both aboard a flight to Boston. Best woman at his wedding to Mary Margaret, Emma had spent many a night camped on the uncomfortable sofa in their apartment when the realities of her less than perfect life came crashing down around her, her needs always met with the support and understanding of her friends.
With exception of her foster sister Lily, David and Mary Margaret were the only people Emma considered family, if truth be told she didn`t even mind when David and Mary Margaret acted like her parents, she found it strangely comforting and if wishes were ever to be granted she wouldn`t hesitate in choosing David Nolan and Mary Margaret Blanchard as her parents, not that she would ever admit her feeling`s to the happily married couple.
"As family I`m entitled to return to our earlier conversation. Mary Margaret and I were right about Miranda"
"I see you have the bitt between your teeth tonight. I thought this was done?"
Emma was getting frustrated with this conversation she knew where it always led, accountability and responsibility, neither of which she particularly cared for
"If only you`d listened at the time. Mary Margaret saved your career, she put her neck on the line for you."
Emma nodded her head solemnly
"I know and I appreciate all of the times she`s believed in me and stuck her neck on the line for me since. Alright I get it… Daaad. Poor judgement on my part. Lessons of the heart painfully learned. I get it, now can we please move on?"
"It`s just you have this uncanny ability of always falling for dangerous women and I was just reiterating this point because…"
"I know. I get it, honestly I do but I`m currently not dating and I have no intention of dating anytime soon so you don`t have to worry about random stalkers trying to shoot or throttle me while I`m asleep. I`m sure that was a completely isolated incident." Emma laughed trying to add levity to what had been a terrifying experience "Now quit your jibber-jabber and let me drive back to the apartment, you know how much you love it when I drive"
"The hell I do. I`ll drive" David fished the keys to the black SUV out of his jeans pocket "I`ve just witnessed the trouble you had trying to pull on your jacket, I`d rather not chance your driving tonight"
"Fuck you Nolan"
SQ
The conversation over dinner was light and flowed freely, finishing the delicious feast courtesy of Mary Margaret their light-hearted banter ceased with the vibration of the SAiC`s cell phone, checking her caller ID Director Gold flashed across the screen
"Great" Groaned Emma "Talk about the old crocodile and suddenly he`s demanding attention spoiling a perfect evening"
"Sorry but I`ve got to take this call, if you`ll both excuse me" Mary Margaret excused herself taking the call in her home office
"Ok sweetheart Em and I will be on the couch watching the Red Sox win. Popcorn and beer Em?"
"Sure. Sox have this, right?"
"It`ll be close kid."
Engrossed in the game neither Emma nor David heard Mary Margaret`s phone conversation end nor witnessed her re-emergence into the lounge. Reaching for the remote control resting upon the arm of the couch she clicked the TV to stand-by mode.
"Hey what gives we were watching…" Emma and David both moaned throwing handfuls of popcorn at Mary Margaret "That"
"Mary Margaret?" David questioned racing to her side he placed her hands within his own "Sweetheart. What is it?"
Turning to Emma tears slipped from Mary Margaret's eyes her face turning ashen
"Double M, your scaring me for fuck sake say something, anything" Emma begged
"Lily" Was all Mary Margaret managed to whisper before plopping numbly on the couch
"Mary Margaret?" David questioned again, his stomach clenching with the mention of Lily and the implications his gut suggested
Leaping over the back of the couch reaching into her sports bag Emma scrambled through its many pockets searching for her cell phone that flashed with notifications of voicemail, missed calls and messages
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
Placing the phone to her ear she quickly listened to the voicemail from Director Gold asking her to return his call as soon as she received his message and that it was a matter of utmost importance. Three missed call notifications from Lily and no voice mail had Emma throwing her arms up in frustration, nervously she opened her text message inbox
Lily Vanilli
202-555-0160
I love you Addilo. x
13:24
"No" Emma `s hands cradled her head "No. This is not happening. Tell me what's going on. Right. Fucking. Now" Emma spat into Mary Margaret`s face as she flew back over the couch, her heart pounding within her ears as she looked between the only two people in the world aside from Lily she truly loved. Emma`s heart already knew the answer and it was slowly breaking "Mary Margaret." Emma whispered her chin beginning to quiver, the bitter sting of tears threatening to break her resolve as she promised herself, she would not cry.
Mary Margaret slowly released the breath she had been holding steeling herself for the inevitable. She was a professional, the Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office and this wasn`t the first time she`d had to deliver devastating news to a member of her team, however, it was the first time she`d had to deliver such news to someone she cared for deeply and loved unconditionally.
"Special Agent Swan. Emma" Mary Margaret`s voice faltered
Emma swallowed thickly her throat suddenly constricted, her lungs burning momentarily devoid of all air
"It is with deepest sympathy…"
"Don`t. Don`t you dare. Don`t you dare say it" Emma`s vulnerable voice warned as her hands suddenly ripped her much too restrictive white shirt away from her chest as it squeezed the life out of her. Silent moments that seemed to stretch into decades passed as Emma waited for the inevitable words to spill from Mary Margaret`s lips, she willed them to remain unspoken as if this act alone would change the outcome "David tell her." Emma whispered "Tell her it`s all some stupid terrible mistake"
"It is with deepest sympathy and regret that I have to inform you, that your sister, Lily Page was fatally wounded and passed away earlier this afternoon. I`m so sorry Emma."
Wrapping Emma within his tight embrace David cooed soothing words that brought no comfort into golden hair.
"No!" Emma gasped her body suddenly buckling in David`s arms, his body shaking with exertion David desperately tried to keep them both upright, holding on to the blonde for dear life he anchored her to the here and now not willing to let her slip into, the way back "Not Lily"
SQ
Everything about this day was depressing, but not the normal depressing. This depressing was completely different; it was a feeling Emma couldn't describe, one she had never had to describe. The entire melancholic atmosphere directly affected her from the atrocious weather to the black clothes, there were no tears from immediate family, there was no immediate family, only Emma. Trying to retain her tears Emma constantly told herself that "she wouldn't cry." She was successful until she glanced towards Mary Margaret and David standing next to an impeccable stylish beauty. All three with tears pouring from their eyes, their grief half hidden under a canopy of umbrella`s. Suddenly, Emma couldn't hold back, the thought of someone else mourning, caring for Lily, she let it all out. At that moment, Emma realised she had lost somebody so close to her and it was overbearing. As Lily`s coffin was lowered, Emma realised she would never see her sister again. This was it; this was the last time she would ever see Lily.
The rain continued, rat-tat-tat-tatting upon the roof of the SUV, Emma remained silent as David drove them carefully through the excess surface water the drainage system was unable to disperse, no doubt if Emma had driven they would have either aquaplaned all the way to the office or driven straight into the nearest wall such was her mood. Once inside the Boston field office they shed their sodden Mackintoshes each quietly retreating to their designated work stations where life carried on while they decompressed. It was sometime later when Mary Margaret emerged beckoning Emma into her office
"Sup double M?" Emma tried her best at levity but it fell flat
A small thrill of excitement passed through Mary Margaret at Emma`s term of endearment. The names M. Double M, as if Mary Margaret would ever consider the life of a secret agent, her current job heading up the Boston Field Office was challenging enough
"How you holding up?"
Emma shrugged her shoulders "I`m breathing so that's a bonus right?"
Mary Margaret nodded a tight lipped agreement
"I know it`s only been a couple of weeks and I`m sorry Em but there`s just no way to sugar coat our next conversation."
"It`s already been a shit day, might as well dump it on me all at once"
Mary Margaret turned her attention to her monitor
"At this time the Denver Field Office deem it unnecessary to conduct an additional investigation into the death of Lily Page. The case is still ongoing with Detective Neal Cassidy of DPD leading the investigation. Forensics' are back. Lily was the victim of a single GSW to the chest the bullet pierced her left ventricle. One 9mm casing was recovered from the scene, no prints were found. No weapon has been recovered and there are no leads on the perpetrator. Motive at this time is thought to be a mugging gone awry"
"Ok. So there`s a complete lack of evidence" Emma scrubbed her hand down her face inhaling deeply "Is there any information pertaining to Lily`s employment status? The Last time she called, she um, she was excited about some interview she had lined up with a bigshot company. She was meant to call if they hired her. I guess in all the excitement she, she forgot."
"Lily was employed by a subsidiary of the Tempus-Fugit Corporation as a secretary to a…" Mary Margaret scanned the repot "A, Ms. Regina Mills who has been questioned by Detective Cassidy and ruled out of the investigation."
"I`m guessing this Tempus-Fugit Corporation is one in the same that sponsors and runs the Tempus Festival over in Aurora County?"
"The Tempus-Fugit Corporation sponsors many events all over the world, all perfectly legal and above board I`m sure" Emma couldn`t fail to notice Mary Margaret's inflection "Tell me about this Tempus Festival?"
"It`s an annual Summer long festival dedicated to the legal showcasing and racing of classic, modern, street and customised domestic and imported cars. Aside from the racing events the festivities include world renowned DJ sets and showcase driving events undertaken the best drivers from around the world. Lily and I planned to vacation there together after I got my Bachelor's Degree but I couldn`t take the risk after..."
"In the way back?" Mary Margaret probed, the strange question that somehow answered questions without asking questions had become second nature to both she and David as Emma, either unable or unwilling refused to revisit or remember fully the events of her past.
"You mentioned Regina Mills"
And there it was, outright denial.
"The report barely contains any information on Ms. Mills except to mention she is the CEO of Regal Racing. There`s an attachment of all her employee`s and their roles within Regal Racing, Lily was listed as her secretary. Nothing stands out immediately but I`m sensing you have more information?"
Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat
"Regina Mills is the #1 driver on the festival circuit and has been for the last um, seven or so years. She owns it. People will come in their thousands just to catch a glimpse of the woman and watch her race. She had…" Emma paused, inhaling deeply "She has, incredible passion and talent and her knowledge is simply, unrivalled. Ms Mills is the expert in her field and holds several doctorates."
"Interesting" Mary Margaret had never heard Emma speak so passionately before "You like her." Marry Margaret almost sing songed "I mean you like, like her"
"Double M. I only know her by reputation, it`s not like we`ve ever hung out or anything" Emma heaved a heavy sigh "Honestly I have nothing but the utmost respect for Ms. Mills talent, she`s an incredible Driver"
"How does your talent compare?" Mary Margaret asked apprehensively
The question completely blindsided Emma her brow crinkled as she gathered her wits and thoughts
"Who can say? I was left with no option but to take the road less travelled by"
"And look where that road less travelled by has led you Emma. Highly trained and educated, quoting Robert Frost and a champion for the greater good. A saviour if you will for those who are unable to protect themselves"
"I don`t need a hope speech double M. I`m no-one's saviour. Where was I when Lily needed me? What`s the point in taking the road less travelled if I can`t use everything I`ve learned and experienced to get justice for her? You don`t understand. I-I owe her everything"
"You aren`t to blame for Lily`s death Emma, you were left with very limited choices"
"There are always choices double M, it`s whether you have the conviction and strength to stand by your decisions and live with their consequences. I just have this niggling feeling that working for Regal Racing and Regina Mills meant something to her, really meant something to her. There`s just more too it."
Mary Margaret laced her fingers together in front of her
"You have until the end of the festival. I to have a niggling feeling, something doesn't feel right about Lily`s death. I`ve called in a favour from Director Gold, you`ll be undercover with no backup. I expect your safety and the safety of those around you to be paramount. David has amended your records to… in the way back." Carrying on quickly Mary Margaret didn't give Emma time to process or respond "Do your job, infiltrate, investigate, annoy the hell out of everyone it's your specialty, and if you get to venture down that well-travelled road, enjoy every moment of it because no-one deserves a second chance at their dream more than you Emma or should that be, Addison Cole?"
Emma sat slack jawed, completely unnerved by the casual inclusion of Mary Margaret bombshell. Mary Margaret was privy to events, in the way back, events Emma herself wished to eradicate from memory, events she wished to remain hidden forever and Mary Margaret knew of her tawdry, shameful past, yet still… they were family.
"H-how? T-they assured me records were sealed, that no-one would ever… Addison Cole" Emma whispered "Lily was the last person who…"
"Do we have a problem Special Agent Swan?"
It took a few moments for Emma to reply as images of a forgotten past raced to the fore assaulting her senses
"No. No problem, just don`t ever speak that name again" Emma`s steely eyes bored into her superior
"Alright." Mary Margaret knew not to push "Remember, whatever you discover if it isn't resolved by the end of the Tempus Festival it`s over and done, you walk away and you move on with your life. Do we have a deal?"
"Deal. Thank you Mary Margaret"
"Don`t thank me yet and what are families for if not to put their necks on the line for those they love"
SQ
Emma had two solid leads. Regina Mills and the Tempus-Fugit Corporation. Adjusting her Oakley tinfoil sunglasses she smirked, she`d missed the thrill and excitement of street life. Popping the clutch of Lily`s 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse Emma gunned it.
Distance to Aurora County 1972 miles