Emma was in her new room at the hospital. She had given birth to her baby boy two days before, on August 15th, 2001. He was born at 36 weeks, slightly early but not enough to worry anyone. The jail was kind about all of it; she wasn't even handcuffed to her bed. Instead, they had a guard outside of the room 24 hours a day. Did they really think she could get out the door in her current condition?

She was so glad it was finally over. The hardest part was over with. Emma doubted she would ever agree to have a baby in the future; that was the most pain she had ever been through. There was obviously the physical pain, but during those moments, all she could think of was how Neal left her, and this was the result. All of her pain and anguish and longing for a stable life were put into physical existence when she gave birth.

Emma was alone now. She had no family members or friends to keep her company. Not even the baby, Emma requested that he be held in the nursery so she wouldn't have to see him or hear him cry. Her hospital gown felt pretty uncomfortable, but there was nothing Emma could do about it. So in between naps, her unbalanced hormones brought her to a dark place. The drugs kept away most of the physical pain, but all she could think about was Emma abandoned her baby the same way she was. What if he never found a permanent home? What if the new family didn't treat him well? What if he had to grow up to steal to survive like his biological parents? She was crying on and off for hours; it only stopped when exhaustion made her shut down. Luckily they were hydrating her through an IV. The doctors never commented when they saw her swollen eyes and lack of energy. They must have assumed it was because of the physical while it was the mental issues that haunted her.

Emma wished Sky could come. Maybe she would remove this feeling of utter hopelessness. Emma would be leaving the hospital in a few days, but the doctors wanted to keep an eye on her at the prison infirmary once she left. It would be close to two and a half weeks until Emma could go back to her room with Sky. And once again, after too much thinking, Emma fell asleep.

Emma slowly opened her eyes to a few faces. She felt highly confused until she was able to orient herself. One of the people was a nurse who was waiting to help Emma once she woke up. Next to the nurse was a doctor who was also waiting for her with a saccharine smile. Next to the doctor, she saw a familiar face with her long black braids, flawless dark skin, and handcuffs. "What is going on?"

"Well, after I talk with you about some private health matters and Nurse Grace helps you get a bit cleaned up, we have a guest for you." The doctor said in a cheery, uplifting voice.

Emma wanted to punch the doctor for being so happy, but she couldn't even get up. The doctor must have been so used to mothers who were so excited to have a baby, sweet, and sickening. Emma looked over at Sky, "See you soon, I guess." Sky gave Emma a wink with a distorted wave and left the room.

The doctor and nurses dragged out both their tasks; Emma wasn't even sure how much information she picked up from the doctor. The nurse was also sappy while she helped Emma change into a new gown and changed the bedspread. It was revolting. Emma guessed that's why people usually have family members there when they stay in hospitals, remember important information, and kick out annoying people. After 15 minutes, Sky came in.

"What made them handcuff you? Did you steal something?" Emma would do whatever she could to keep the conversation off herself. She wasn't feeling well. Talking about not feeling well wouldn't really help the discomfort.

Sky sat down on the new sheets' edge, "They want to make sure I don't steal a weapon from the hospital. Especially on a floor where they have scalpels and other fun objects all around. The officer outside would handcuff you too if you weren't stuck in bed." Sky gave her a slight smile, "Is it hard not having anyone else here with you?"

"It's been difficult. Partially because I'm not remembering all the important information the doctor keeps telling me. One thing I do remember is I'm going to have trouble getting back into shape and losing weight because I have no baby to breastfeed. Another thing is I'm going to feel sore and have random pain for the next few days, and my emotions will be going crazy too." Emma gave a sarcastic, "yay."

"They really should warn people that there are different symptoms after a baby is born. I'm sure you'll be fine, Emma, many doctors at the jail will also be on your tail taking care of you." Sky held Emma's hand, "I'll also be there like I have been this whole time."

"Do you think he'll find a home, Sky? A good one?" Emma's eyes began to water. "I threw him away too." She began to nervously fidget with her blanket.

"You had a boy? I guess I'm awful at guessing." Sky laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "You are doing everything you should do Emma, you know you wouldn't be the mother he needs, so you are putting him on a path to get one. There is not anything better that you could be doing for him."

Emma nodded, wiping away her tears with her free hand. "I wish Neal was here."

"Do you want me to see if the prison could contact him?" Sky noticed how broken Emma was looking, it worried her. Should she call the doctor back?

"No. Yes. I don't know." Emma began to cry again, "I just want to go home." Emma had no idea where home was, but she had to be there right now; she wanted to feel safe and loved. Emma needed it.

Sky rubbed her hand up and down Emma's arm trying to comfort her. She didn't even know what home Emma was referring to. She assumed it was just all of Emma's worries from the past nine months, finally crashing down on her. "What can I do?"

"I want you to call him. Don't tell him about the baby. Just call him." Emma said, taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.

Sky left the room quickly to explain the situation to the guard. The guard handed Sky a cell phone just to use and give back. She walked back into the room and got his number from Emma and called. She put the phone on speaker and listened to the phone ring.

"Hello? Who is this?" Neal's voice came from the phone. Emma covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from saying anything she would regret.

"This is Sky, Emma's roommate. We are still at the prison in Phoenix, just went on a trip, so we got to borrow this mobile phone." Sky looked over at Emma and gave her a desperate look. Emma shook her head.

"Is everything ok?" Neal prodded
"She's fine, just lost her voice from...singing too much. Emma's been trying to keep me entertained." Sky glared at Emma

"Is there a reason you called me? I have someone over here, I don't want to leave her waiting." Neal sounded frustrated.

"Just to tell you that you suck for leaving my best friend, and I hope you rot," Sky yelled into the phone and then hung up. The guard rushed into the room and then realized that it wasn't any injury, took back the phone, and left the room.

"He does suck for leaving you. But you also suck for not telling me what to say." Sky stuck her tongue out at Emma

Emma gave her an attempt at a smile, "He isn't normally so rude. Must be because he had someone over..."

"Don't come to conclusions that you have no proof of Emma. She could be a friend or a client from a new job." Sky knew where Emma's thoughts were going.

Before Emma could respond, the guard came in and told them that Sky would have to return to the prison. She left after giving Emma an awkward hug, and Emma was once again alone.

~~~

Neal had absolutely no idea why Emma's friend called him. Telling him that he was a bad boyfriend on the phone seemed a bit excessive; Emma wasn't the type to prank call.

Regina Mills sat in front of Neal at her desk. The black and white design to the room reminded Neal of a chessboard; it was bizarre.

"Are you done?" Regina snapped, "We were in the middle of a conversation."

Neal put his phone in his pocket, "It was about my apartment, I was being reminded that rent is due."

"Well, let's get back to it; you said that you would help me out, and in return, I would leave your personal life alone. But you never said what you had to offer Neal Cassidy." Regina looked him up and down, there was something about this man that felt familiar, but she couldn't place it.

"I can offer you the reason that Rumplestiltskin created the dark curse that you used, what his goal is. Obviously, he isn't awake now, but you will have some information that he wants once he is." Neal crossed his arms, "Do we have a deal?"

"How would you know this if you weren't even in the Enchanted Forest when the curse was created?" Regina raised an eyebrow, "Why would he trust you?"

"Do we have a deal, your majesty?" Neal asked, with no emotion in his voice. He would be protecting Emma.

"We have a deal." Regina took a sip of the apple cider in front of her

"As I mentioned, I am much older than I appear. I knew the Dark One before he even became the Dark One. So that's how I can tell you that he created the curse just to have a way to get to this land. He made sure it could be broken. That it will be broken." Neal glared, "So while you might not trust him now, I would trust him a bit less."

"Why would someone so obsessed and skilled with magic want to come to a world without any?" Regina leaned in toward Neal.

"Not part of our deal. Let's just say Rumplestiltskin is looking for something, something he couldn't find back there. Something he knew that he would find again." Neal got up out of his seat, "If you break our deal, not only will you be haunted by magic, but I will purposely wake up Rumplestiltskin and let him deal with you. Have a nice day Regina." Neal walked out the door without looking back.

Neal was never told by anyone the reason for the curse, but it wasn't hard to see that his father created it to find him.  That coward would also try to fake bravery later on. His Papa must have known that Neal's age was frozen for some time because he would be dead with an average lifespan by now. With that logic, the Dark One would try to find him in another 10 years, and Neal would have to make sure he stayed off the grid. It has been too many years for an apology, his father had a chance, and Rumple blew it.

~~~

Emma had now returned back to her shared room with Sky. It was now September 15th, a full month since she gave birth. Emma was close to feeling like herself again. Most of her symptoms had been taken care of. She was standing in front of her plastic mirror again with her shirt off. It was uncomfortable to see.

"Emma, standing in front of the mirror every single day doesn't seem like a healthy thing for you to do. Even if you still look magnificent with those new curves." Sky moved to stand in front of the mirror. "I will tickle you if that shirt is not on."

Emma shrugged Sky off and put her shirt on anyway. "Sorry, I know I shouldn't. I just feel very different, and I've been trying to do some exercise again. It's like my center of gravity has changed."

"I know. But running a bit every day and doing some other work doesn't change things as fast as you think. Now come on, it's your first day back in the cafeteria." Sky showed off her favorite dance move, her signature jazz hands. "You are eating mush today. Dun dun dun!" Sky sang with enthusiasm

Emma began to crack up, "I forgot what that stuff even tastes like."

"Well, now that you don't need separate nutrition, you will be tortured with a taste that confuses all of your taste buds." Sky said as the guard opened their cell door and led them to the mess hall.

"I'm going to miss you, Sky." She whispered to the girl next to her.

"It's only a month, then we'll be back together again," Sky whispered back as they entered the noisy room. Sky would be released from prison tomorrow, Emm thought. That month would be lonely unless she got a new roommate.

~~~

Emma's goodbye with Sky was uneventful. No tears on either side. They knew they would see each other again. Emma cleaned up the cell; all the extra food was gone now, but there were still some of Emma's messy items. She stacked up a few of the free books that were donated, a photo she was sent by Neal of them in front of their yellow bug when they were still on speaking terms, and then made her bed.

She looked at her photo with Neal, she was 16 in the picture, and her smile was genuine. Emma knew it would take a long time before she would ever open herself up to someone else; that girl in the photo was naive. Younger Emma wouldn't have been able to stay healthy if Neal left her. Luckily older Emma had gotten used to expecting disappointment.

Emma decided to fill her time with exercise instead of wallowing; she didn't feel the need to be so sad anymore. So she got onto the cold, dusty floor and began to do push-ups and whatever else she could think of.