Emma walked up to the yellow bug that was waiting for her on main street. Graham told her where he left it and luckily it didn't have much damage on the front. Though the man waiting in front of the car might get more damage if he didn't explain himself.

"That water wasn't drugged right? Because it's hard to believe I'm seeing you right in front of me August." Emma stood close to him, hoping she seemed intimidating. Emma put her hands in her pockets for good measure.

"Not that I'm aware of, but it's been a bit since my last magical well of water." August gave her a cheeky grin hoping to break the tension. "I came back into town to look for you, I noticed the broken sign and I assumed you got in an accident. Everything ok?" Emma could actually see concern in Augusts eyes amongst the playfulness.

"Fine. Now get in, you might as well be my wing man on my way back to Boston." Emma scooted past August and opened the door to the yellow bug. As Emma got into the drivers seat, August went around and sat next to her.

Emma wondered why August didn't say a word as she left town and drove past the broken sign. Until he decided to speak up,  "About Boston...you aren't searching in the right place."

Emma slammed on the breaks causing them both to shift forward. Luckily they hadn't hit the open road yet. "August I really don't need you playing tricks right now. If we aren't going to Boston, where the heck are we going?"

"Try New York, specifically Little Italy Pizza on Seventh Avenue. The kid told me through text." August held up his phone and shook it for pizzazz.

"You knew about the mayors son and where he went and didn't bother to say anything earlier?!" Emma exclaimed, "How the hell do you even know him? Or keep it simple, why would a kid who was heading for Boston head to a New York pizza shop instead? "

"Because his mom wasn't in Boston. She was on a trip...to New York." August smiled, "trust me."

Emma knew he wasn't lying but something still felt really off. Instead of interrogation, she decided to just get driving. He wasn't worth her energy, only the little boy was.

~~~

It took Emma 7 and a half hours to reach the pizza store from Storybrooke, even with speeding at times. Luckily she had August along so they could switch off along the way. August was sleeping in the passenger seat beside her, he looked relaxed. At this point Emma could easily take a nap, but she had to find this kid. So Emma shook August awake and after a stream of curses, August told Emma he'd man the bug while she went in to find the kid. Assuming he was still there, August hadn't had a text since the original one, and Henry didn't seem to be picking up the phone either.

The smell of good fresh pizza overwhelmed Emma, but before she could get a slice Emma searched the crowd. It seemed to be mostly college students at this hour, all with friends or laptops out doing work. Except for one booth in the back. A brown haired boy was sitting, facing a man who Emma couldn't see the features of, except for his dark head of hair. Based on the photos she had seen that had to be Henry, he had the same scarf and dimples when he smiled. If the kid was supposed to be meeting his mother, why exactly was there a man? Time to find out.

Emma slowly walked pass the other customers on her way to the booth. Henry didn't seem to notice her approach, too busy eating a slice. Until his eyes locked on hers. Something about them seemed familiar but Emma couldn't place it. It was only once Henry's companion turned to see what Henry was looking at did Emma put the pieces together. Her face turned red and she felt her body temperature skyrocket. "I've been manipulated before but this is outrageous. Neal, what are you doing with the boy I was hired to find?"

"Hey Emma. I got something for you." Henry quickly spoke up, ignoring Emma's anger. He pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to her, "I made you a birthday card. Sorry it's a bit late, I meant to give it to you yesterday but then Neal found me." He fidgeted in his seat. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Henry. I'm your son."

Emma didn't bother taking the card. She took a step back trying to prevent herself from doing something she'd regret. His eyes were a perfect match to Neal's. Henry also had a cup of hot chocolate in front of him, with cinnamon. This had to be a living nightmare. "You...I can't believe this. The kid isn't lying, he truly believes he's my..." Emma turned to glare at Neal, "Is this some sort of joke? Did you kidnap my...did you kidnap Henry just to lead me back to you?"

"Correct term would be our son. Let's take this conversation outside before we cause a scene." Neal spoke calmly. He handed Henry a twenty, "I'll be outside with Emma. If you need anything else, get it now." Henry nodded grabbing the bill and rushed past Emma towards the counter. Neal turned his attention back to the woman in front of him and stood up. "I didn't kidnap him. Now can we talk?"

"You have exactly five minutes from the time we step outside. Then you and your partner in crime, August, will be giving me Henry. So I can take him back to his mother. His real family." Emma made sure to emphasize the last point before leading the way outdoors. Neal followed her with his hands shoved in his pockets.

"When you told me all those years ago...I couldn't let it be. You know that. So I found out who adopted him and I kept an eye out from a distance. I'd visit every few months, but we didn't really speak. I didn't want Regina to find out I was there. Last night I was watching him from my car when I noticed him sneaking out. It gave me the chance to confront him. Henry had found out who his mother was off the internet, you. He was going to run off to Boston by himself but I wouldn't let him. Public transportation isn't meant for a ten year old. Instead I took him to New York and after getting your new address from Henry, I sent August to find you and get you on the trail. That way you guys could meet. As for your side trip to Maine...that was August's idea, not mine."

"I would call the police right now and have you arrested for kidnapping. Except, because of what I am to him, they would assume I'm part of your con as well, "Emma rolled her eyes. "If that's all, I'm gonna drive us back to Maine with the assumption you will never try to do something like that again. He's a ten year old kid Neal, you could have just told Regina you saw him sneaking out the window. He has someone who cares for him at home, that means something." Even if Regina is a jerk in heels, her inner voice added. "There was zero reason to do all of this."

"Henry wanted to get to know you, I couldn't deny him that. Plus, he has a special story in his book that he said he wanted you to hear. Henry likes fairytales by the way. He also likes pop tarts, the strawberry ones. Same as you. Specifically not the apple, I've been told." Neal snickered, "I think the not liking apples is genetic." For a good reason Neal thought.

"For your information, I'm not the same person I used to be. I do in fact eat apples." Emma didn't know why she felt like she had to prove her point that she changed, that she grew up. She shouldn't be on the defensive. "I hoped you changed, but I was proved wrong. I guess I'm lucky that you don't seem to have another under-age girlfriend."

Neal didn't respond. Emma looked down at her watch looking to break the awkward silence, "Where is he?"

Like clockwork, Henry stepped out of the store with a grocery bag in one hand and his backpack in the other. "I got some fries, where are we going now?"

"Neal and August are going to do whatever they want while we take a nice trip back to Maine." Emma glared at Neal before glancing back at her...at the kid. "I might be exhausted but you should know that Regina is worried sick about you. I'm not letting you adventure around for another night." August took the cue and stepped out of the car.

"But Neal was going to take me to Times Square to see all the lights." Henry looked disappointed, obviously not caring what his mother was doing back home.

Neal bent down in front of Henry and messed with his hair, "Emma's right. It's time for me to be a responsible adult and send you home with Emma. I'm not sure when, but we will see each other again. I'm willing to bet on it, which isn't something I do often." He took Henry's hands into his own. "This'll be good. You'll have time to show Emma your book. I believe you can do it."

Emma had no idea what the two were referring to, but it did warm her heart to see them hug. "He isn't lying Henry, Neal really thinks he'll see you again. Whether it's true or not, I have a bit of a superpower. I can easily tell if someone is lying, Neal isn't." Neal turned to Emma and smiled at her for backing him up.

"Fine. I call shot gun." The younger boy smiled with glee.

Emma would've laughed at how this boy seemed to have a switch turned on. Time for another long drive.

~~~

Henry: I'm hungry. Can we stop somewhere?
Emma: This is not a road trip. We're not stopping for snacks.
Henry: Why not?
Emma: Quit complaining, kid. Remember – I could have put your butt on a bus. I still could.
Henry: You know I have a name? It's Henry. (Henry is reading the book from earlier.)
Emma: What's that?
Henry: I'm not sure you're ready.
Emma: I'm not ready for some fairy tales?
Henry: They're not fairy tales. They're true. Every story in this book actually happened.
Emma: Of course they did.
Henry: Use your superpower. See if I'm lying.
Emma: Just because you believe something, doesn't make it true.
Henry: That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone.
Emma: Why's that?
Henry: Because you're in this book.
Emma: Oh, kid. You've got problems.
Henry: Yep. And you're going to fix them.

~~~

Emma and Henry arrive at a large, white house. They head through the gate and up the walkway.

"Please don't take me back there." Henry looked up at Emma with pleading eyes. He left here for a reason.

"I have to. Your mother is worried sick about you." Emma wouldn't be fooled by his chocolate orbs, she had a mission to accomplish. Drop the kid off and then get some sleep.

Henry grabbed Emma's hand and stopped walking, forcing her to stop as well. "She's evil."

Emma sighed, "Evil? That's a bit extreme, isn't it?"  Sure the woman seemed rough but she didn't look ready to murder people.

Henry looked downwards and kicked at the pavement. "She is. She doesn't love me. She only pretends to."

Emma took the boys hand and squeezed, hoping to reassure him. "Kid... I'm sure that's not true."

Regina, opens the door to the house and rushes towards Henry and Emma. Regina's face lit up as she saw her son. "Henry! Henry... Are you okay? Where have you been? What happened?"

Henry snaps, "I found my real mom." Holding up Emma's hand before running past Regina into the house.
Regina was flabbergasted. The only person who would have created a scheme like this was Rumplestiltskin, but he was supposed to be asleep. "Y-you're Henry's birth mother?"

Emma blushed. "I didn't know when I came here, I was set up. A prank gone very wrong. I in no way planned for Henry to come after me. I swear. Henry's father, my ex, he took Henry to New York. I hate that man's guts, I truthfully had no idea about this mess."

Graham stood behind Regina with his arms crossed. "I'll just go...check on the lad. Make sure he's alright." He turned and went back inside" the large home.

Regina gave Emma an understanding look, "How would like a glass of the best apple cider you've ever tasted? It seems like you have a story to tell."

Emma chuckled, "That's minimizing it. Got anything stronger?"

~~~.

As Emma recanted all that had happened since her birthday to Regina, downstairs in the sitting room, Henry looked out the window of his room at the clock tower. Which still hasn't changed. Henry stayed up till he heard Emma leave. Tomorrow was another day.

~~~
After so much driving, a crazy ex, meeting her kid, and drinking with Regina, Emma was fricken exhausted. Instead of attempting to drive home, as she wasn't in the mood for another car accident, Emma got in her car and searched for a place to stay the night. Maybe even the week, she realized. She would want to make sure Neal didn't get any funny ideas and come back here so soon. If it came to it she would sleep in her car. Luckily not too far from the Mayors was Granny's Bed and Breakfast.

Inside, Emma saw two women arguing, which wasn't what she expected.

Granny: You're out all night, and now you're going out again.
Ruby: I should have moved to Boston.
Granny: I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your way down the eastern seaboard.
Emma: Excuse me? I'd like a room.
Granny: Really? Would you like a forest view or a square view? Normally, there's an upgrade fee for the square but, as friends do, I'll wave it. Emma: Square is fine.
Granny: Now, what's the name?
Emma: Swan. Emma Swan. (A man, Mr. Gold, has entered the inn, but no one has noticed until he speaks.)
Mr. Gold: Emma. What a lovely name.
Emma: Thanks. (Granny passes Mr. Gold a roll of bills.)
Granny: It's all here.
Mr. Gold: Yes, yes, of course it is, dear. Thank you. You enjoy your stay...Emma. (Mr. Gold exits the innumerable.)
Emma: Who's that?
Ruby: Mr. Gold. He owns this place.
Emma: The inn?
Granny: No, the town. So, how long will you be with us?
Emma: A week. Just a week. 
Granny: Great. (Granny takes a key from the wall and hands it to Emma.)
Granny: Welcome to Storybrooke.

Notes: it's 3:30am and I have no energy to proofread so I'm just gonna publish this. Happy New Years everyone!