YIKES. Sorry about the formatting from earlier.

Chapter 16 Author's note: I've pretty much stopped watching the show but wanted to finish this fic. Unbeta'ed.

Day one: nothing.
Day two: nothing
Day three: dead cold silence.
Okay, Emma thought, I guess that means she couldn't care less about my gratitude, and everything else about me. No skin off my back. I've had plenty of rejection in this life, Lady, I'm not bothered by your stomping all over my olive branch.
"I can practically smell your bad mood, Swan, and it's stinking up the place."
"Just tired, Rubes. All that catching up with deputy business and social obligations."
"And your mood is entirely unconnected to a certain Dark Queen?
"Puh-lease. Regina Mills and the stick up her ass can live happily ever after with each other.
"Yeah, I can totally tell that her brush off doesn't bother you".
"Clearly not".
"So you got your crush out of your system then?"
Denying her attraction to Regina would only make Ruby goad her more, so Emma went with resignation. "Oh, yeah. That's done."
"So you won't mind if I make my move? Reacquaint myself with that terrain? 'Cause I gotta tell you, Swan, the rose is worth all the thorns you gotta wade through. And dammmnnnn that is some -"
"Stop now, please." Emma scrunched up her face and raised a hand in surrender. "Your bragging is making me nauseous."
"Jealousy does tend to make the bile rise."
"Shut up. I just - maybe I have some sort of savior complex and out of everyone in this town she's the one that needs saving the most, or something. It's some sort of impulse that I'm sure will go away in a day or so. Especially if some people don't keep bringing her up."
"Tell me that like she doesn't already own prime real estate in your brain, Blondie." Ruby retorted as she walked towards the kitchen.
Emma took a slow sip of her hot cocoa and looked at the shop across the street. The Benz was parked in the front and the "Closed" signage was about as much indication that she could get that Regina was still alive. I've been kicked to the curb enough times to know how to shake it off. The dead silence for the past three days is as loud a "No" as I'm going to get so, that's that. On to other fish in the sea.

Three hours of paperwork has convinced Emma that administrative work was not Graham's line and that Storybrooke was the kind of town that generated paperwork instead of crime. In fact, the phrase "Nothing to Report" came up often. Outside of missing pets, Leroy was the liveliest thing out there. "Is there a human and non-Leroy incident anywhere in these files?" Emma asked between bites of her bear claw.
"Vandalism a few months ago at the Mills Residence."
"What did they do? When?"
"Nothing major, some kids trying to spruce up the place with paint."
"Regina wanted their heads, I presume."
"Actually, no. It was Dr. Hopper who reported it during his morning run with Pongo."
"How did Regina react?"
"By hiring someone to paint her door." Graham squinted at his deputy. "I'm sure if you find the report you will find that a follow-up investigation is required, since I tend to fail at the pencil pushing."
"Maybe I'll get to that when I find it out of your mystical filing system."
Graham smirked, the rest of his response cut off by the phone ringing."Storybrooke PD. Yes? How long ago since anyone saw them? We're on our way." He stood up and barked, "Missing kids, Swan, likely headed for the abandoned mines. Get moving." He turned back to the phone and said, "Please keep them there, contact the school for anyone who would know how to get in touch with their parents."

Chapter 17

Graham barely waited for Emma to pull the seat belt before speeding off. Having only every seen his sedate side, she was surprised to see him almost savagely gripping the wheel. "The caller was one Mr. Potts, he lived near the mines and two girls, Ava and Paige asked him to call. They said Nicholas and Henry went into the mines and something collapsed." Emma's heart raced, "Is he—Did they say anything else?" She caught herself just in time to act the professional.
"Not really and the girls were likely too scared to tell him anything else useful."
"Do we have access to some map of the mines?"
"No, and just this once Leroy will be useful to the police. He used to work there when it was still operational."

When they got to the mines, Emma saw but barely noticed the small crowd forming there. Her eyes centred on Nicholas, seated on a stump and being comforted by Dr. Hopper.
"Hey Nick, you remember me?"
"Yes, Ma'am, you're Henry's other mom."
Dr. Hopper smiled at her in encouragement. "Why don't you tell Deputy Swan about the place in the mine where you last saw Henry?"
"Leroy!" Emma waved the man over. "See that hairy dude, Nick? He knows about the mines so we need him to hear what you remember, okay. And don't be scared of him, he's made of marshmallows in the inside."
Nick gave a small laugh and wiped his face.
"What's going on, Princess?" Emma glared at him before asking Nick to go on.
"We saw this thing that looked like an elevator, but I can't be sure cause we had small flashlights and Henry went in. Then there was a loud noise and dirt was falling. I ran out and I thought Henry was behind me..."
Leroy crouched down and spoke to the sobbing boy. "That's good, Kid. Do you remember anything about that elevator? Like numbers or letters next to it?"
Nick shook his head no. "But there was a picture of this lady inside the elevator."
Leroy crunched his face and then grinned. "The one with the big -"
"Focus, Leroy!"
"You just saved your friend, son. C'mon, Deputy, I know exactly where he is. Sector 4b with the triple D."

Chapter 18

Once they managed got to the the elevator shaft through overground access points, Emma was relieved to find that Henry was inside and was relatively unharmed. Emma vowed never again to underestimate the stocky drunk who went one further by volunteering to go down and retrieve the boy. However, due to the time constraints and the limitations of their makeshift rig, Emma insisted that her weight made her the right person for it.
Applause erupted from the crowd and Mary Margaret and David rushed to their son, while Emma was the recipient of some really hard raps in the back from Leroy and his fellow ex-miners. While catching her breath, Emma saw a distinct swanky car in the crowd. She briefly thought of coming over but stopped herself. The paramedics who weren't working on Henry ushered her to an ambulance.
After being examined, she headed for the patrol car.
"Hey, Savior Chick, can I get an exclusive interview? And an autograph?"
"August, you ass! Where have you been?"
"New Yohk, where all the cool kids hang out. I leave for a bit and you go and join the Po-Po. I'm severely disappointed in you."
"Not as disappointed as your father is in you, Woody." Graham joined in. "You okay to drive, Swan? I'm gonna hitch a ride with the medics."
"Sure." Emma caught the keys and quickly glanced around for a certain Benz. "Since I did the heavy lifting, you're doing the paperwork, right?"
Graham looked first at August, grinned, then told Emma, "No. And please write legibly. Also, David told me that we are both welcome to see Henry to check up on him."
"Yes, please, Deputy Swan. Can we go see the boy you saved from peril? Can I interview him too?"
"Sidney barely approves anything you try to contibute to The Storybrooke Mirror, August, and it's best that we let the family have a bit of space."
Emma's phone rang and the caller ID said Mayor Blanchard.
"Hey, Mayor, how's the prince?"
"Emma, hi, thank you so much - Yes, just one second, Hen -"
"Hi, Emma! Thanks for getting me out! You're coming to see me, right? Please, please come and bring real food! Cinnamon buns!"
Henry's screeching became slightly distant. Mary Margaret must have finally wrestled her phone away from the boy. "Henry, please get back in bed! Oh, Emma, sorry we couldn't stop and say thanks earlier."
"It's perfectly fine, Mayor, and tell Henry I'll smuggle him the goods tomorrow during my lunch break."
"I've given notice to the nurses and they know you're family so you can visit him anytime, okay?"
"Uh, thanks...I'll do that. Bye."
"Everything okay?" August asked, noting the turn in her mood.
"Yeah, just all the rushing and saving and apparently being considered family by the parents of the kid I gave up years ago."
August placed a hand on her shoulder, "He was loved and safe and wanted from day one, Emma. What you did gave him the best possible life he could have had."
"Thanks." Emma gave him a brief one-armed hug before heading for the cruiser. "Say hi to your Papa for me and try not to get arrested 'cause I heard rumors of police brutality in these parts."
"Cuff me, cuff me now!" August dramatically held out his arms while Emma drove off.

Chapter 19

The impromptu celebration at Granny's last night meant Emma woke up bleary-eyed and aching. By winning at darts, she managed to score a day-off from Graham, which meant that she could wake up as late as she wanted. Well, as late as the promised lunch time visit to Henry. She shook off the cobwebs enough to remember that she promised to visit Henry and what else was there? Of course, cinnamon buns. The kind made and sold by one Regina Mills. She could go out of town for them but even she wasn't that much of a coward. But, she wasn't looking forward to another encounter with the brunette. By the time she brushed her teeth, she managed to find two possible solutions to her dilemma.

"Please. It's for Henry."
"Grow a pair and cross the street, Emma." Ruby's smile was predatory. "And remember me texting just now? That went to August so don't count on him to do your dirty work."
It being a school day, it was unlikely that she could hire or charm some youngster into buying the pastries for her. "And knowing him, he's on his way now to witness your agony, so I'd get a move on. It's not like you're going in there to rob the place. Get in, place the order, hold the drool, and get out. Try not to break into some forlorn love song while you're there."
"You're no friend to me, Rubes."
"I'm just doing my bit as supporting cast to your epic love story. And you are welcome."
Emma stood up slowly. As a last ditch effort, she asked, "Hey, Granny? You know how I'm your favorite guest?"
"My hearing is perfectly fine, Deputy, and I know you're made of better stuff than slinking off an unpleasant task to an old woman." She began checking a record book from under the counter and gave Emma a note. "This is her private cellphone number." At the shocked look from both the blonde and Ruby, she continued, "She gave it to me for business reasons" Seeing the disbelief on the young women, she amended, "Alright, I might be one of her emergency housesitters. I'm giving it to you because your whining in my establishment is bad for my business. Now use those things you punks are so fond of and send her a message about what you need before you go there."
"Thanks." Emma replied. She took her hot cocoa and sat on the booth furthest from the counter, hoping that Ruby would remain where she was. She programmed the number in her contacts. After rejecting the idea of either a superformal from the Office of Deputy Swan message to a "hey, there" stoner approach, she finally sent a message.

Hi, I'm on my way to Henry and he asked me to bring some cinnamon buns so I wanted to ask if you have them today and could I place an order for a dozen? Thanks, Emma

This is almost as nerve-wracking as waiting for a pregnancy test, Emma thought. She honestly didn't know how long it took before her phone buzzed. Ruby's squeal almost made her drop the thing.

Deputy Swan, your order is waiting for you at the counter. I suggest you pick them up and deliver them to Henry as soon as possible. R.M.

"What she say?" Emma could almost picture Ruby jumping on top of the counter to hassle her.
"Ruby, go wash something in the kitchen, now."
Emma nodded at the older Lucas in thanks and headed out. She squinted at the "Open" sign across the street and murmured, "Get in, get out. Do not drool. Do not dawdle. Sing no love songs."

Chapter 20

The voice that greeted Emma was definitely unexpected. So was the well-dressed blonde that came with it. "So you''re the new fish in the pond."
"Hi." Emma managed to croak out. "Emma Swan."
The blonde sized her up and wasn't subtle about it. "The things I could do to you..."
"Excuse me?"
The blonde laughed at Emma's outrage. "I'm a photographer. And you would make a pretty subject. After the addition of some real leather, maybe."
"Mal." Regina's voice rang from somewhere beyond the counter. "Excuse her, Deputy Swan. She was raised as a brat and will most likely die as one."
I don't know why I expected anything different, Emma thought as she finally saw Regina Mills again, put-together and walking in as if she owned the room. Technically she does own it.
"Emma Swan, meet Mallory Byrne. Mal, play nice."
"I'd rather play naughty, and you've always known that, Regina."
"Nice to meet you." Emma nodded at the blonde. She hoped she paused long enough before swivelling towards Regina. "Those the stuff?" she gestured at the box sitting at the counter.
"Yes, and I was hoping you'd take these as well." Regina placed a smaller box. "Chocolate chip cookies... With the best wishes of the company for his recovery."
Mal actually laughed when Regina added the last bit. "Are you chanelling your mother right now?"
Regina glared at Mal while Emma looked down at her boots and shoved her fists in her pockets. "How much do I owe you?"
"It's on the house. In exchange for playing courier."
Regina eyes couldn't hide her obvious struggle to not ask about Henry.
"He's fine, absolutely no injuries. The hospital stay was just a precaution. I mean the way he asked for these things tells me he's mostly happy to get out of school today."
Regina smiled, then. It was spontaneous and genuine and Emma couldn't help but smile back.
"There's a Henry-related matter I want to ask you about, if I could? In private?"
"Why in private?" Mal interjected and stood next to Emma.
"Mal, the cider's in the back. Help yourself."
Anytime now, please...Emma thought as the blonde took her time to give Emma the once over once more before heading towards the back of the shop. "She's a friend?"
"Yes, a very protective one." Regina continued, "and sweet, too, under several layers of bitchiness. What was it you wanted to ask?"
"I wanted to ask you to come with me to the hospital. Say a quick hello to him yourself."
"That won't be necessary. Like you said, he's mostly enjoying a day away from school."
Emma took the boxes off the counter and asked, "Are you sure?" Regina nodded. "Thank you for the invitation, Miss Swan."
It was meant to sound as a dismissal but Emma heard something else. Defeat.
"You know what?" Emma set down the boxes. "Do you have a paper bag or something to help me carry these?"
Regina was surprised at the request but answered, "Of course, let me-"
Child's play, really. Emma thought as she fixed the cuff on the brunette's left wrist. The other cuff was on her right wrist and the key was somewhere deep inside the front pocket of her jeans.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"You, me, cinnamon buns, cookies, hospital." With her left hand she called Ruby's cell. "Come to the bakery now, Rubes. More supporting cast work for you."
"Is that Regina yelling?"
"Has the peroxide finally melted your brain, Swan?" Regina pulled her arm as hard as she could.
"Now, Ruby."
"Is she a real cop or one of those stripper telegrams?" Mal, alerted by Regina's voice, came to join the fray.
"I'm being abducted, you fool!"
"Yes, I'm taking her to that scary place called the Pediatric Ward of Storybrooke General. Call the Navy. Or just go back to the cider."
Mal gave a throaty laugh, exposing the layers that Regina spoke of. "Oh, you are earning points in my book, Copper." She went next to Regina and pushed the other woman out of the counter and towards Emma. "Here, don't scare the kids with the accessories," she said as she took off her scarf and wound it around the handcuffs. "Say hi for me, even if he doesn't remember who I am." Both Emma and Regina had to pause at what must be a rare moment of tenderness from the haughty blond.
"What's going on?" Ruby's voice rang out with mild confusion and intense amusement.
"You're driving." Emma tossed her keys to Ruby.
With the aid of Mal, Emma and Regina managed to get through the door. The whole time Regina was raining down threats on curses on both women. When the bug parked in front, Emma turned to Regina, "Listen, it's a short drive to the hospital and I suggest you use that time to calm down otherwise you are going to scare Henry. Your fury and bad juju will turn these buns and cookies sour. So accept that this is happening, unless you want to put your hands down the pockets of my very, very tight pants, then take out the very,very small key and hope that somehow I will be unable to cuff you right back anyway. We are going to say hello to the boy, watch him enjoy these goodies and then and only then go our separate ways."
Ruby was biting her lower lip the whole time and trying not to catch Regina's eyes.
"You are aiding in an abduction, Miss Lucas, much like the traitor Mallory here."
"I'm assisting the police, Ma'am, that is what I know."
Emma crouched toward the backseat of the bug and grabbed hold of Regina's hand before tugging her in.