Chapter 4: The Beast's Castle
It was odd being with Ford again. Not that things were awkward, there was always something not so awkward about Ford even though you'd think he would be one of the most awkward people on Earth to be around with. Especially for Emma, but as horrible as the circumstances were she was glad she had someone to talk to.
She was surprised that he was in town when she called, it seemed a bit kismet, but maybe that was what she needed—luck. Since she didn't know off of the top of her head how to get Jaime out of Regina Mills' clutches.
The woman was certifiable, Emma thought. It made her hate herself for the decisions she had made years ago. She had barely been able to eat anything since she found out who had taken over raising her son and had hurled everything she had ate. She hadn't felt like this since she had just gotten out of jail.
She hoped she at least she looked composed enough. While not in a suit, she had chosen to wear dark colored skinny jeans with a loose blouse and her hair tied up. She was, after all, packing. And there was no need to dress up. This was Ford, after all. But a part of her wanted to show him how far she came from that lost teenager he discovered in the jail cell.
Ford, however, hadn't said a word about her hair. Not that she expected him too. He wanted to get to why she summoned him and it seemed fast. He didn't even want to do lunch, which Emma had been relying on to try to calm down her nerves.
She finally got him to agree to a glass of scotch. Normally, Emma wasn't that much of a drinker but since Jaime found her that's all she wanted to do. And God knows, she needed alcohol to tell Ford about her past.
Ford seemed to take it in well. He mainly listened, which was what she wanted. Getting out the words were easier said than done.
When she finished she looked at Ford. "Well, do you think you can help me?"
He sighed heavily. "I think I might. I need to do some research though."
"Look," She said. "You don't need to sugarcoat things for me, I know are chances aren't great. There's been a period of years that passed, I never contested the adoption."
"Because you never told me about it," He said matter of fact. "I am surprised a judge willing gave that barracuda a baby though. If anything, I'm sure I can get her declared unfit."
"In Storybrooke?" Emma said, "I was only in that place for less than a day, and I can she runs the place."
"She doesn't own it though." Gold said. "I do at least according to the property records."
"And you left and haven't gone back in decades," Emma said.
He shrugged. "Ownership talks. I will be taking this case though, obviously. Anytime I have the opportunity to ruin Regina's life, I'll take it."
Emma shook her head. "I don't get what that woman's deal is. She's just—"
"Psychotic?" Ford supplied.
"Well, that works." Emma said. "I don't like that acts like that around Jaime—err HJ—or I guess I should call him Henry to be honest. That name does not suit him though, but I don't really feel like uprooting him even more than I'm going to have to."
"Henry seems so old fashioned these days," Ford said. "But who am I to judge, I have probably the worst name ever. But unfortunately, I agree, Regina is no fit to raise a parakeet let alone a child. I'll see what I can do. Do you mind getting a DNA sample from the boy?"
Emma gave him a weird look.
"To prove maternity," Ford explained. "There's the documentation, of course. But it's always better to have scientific proof of these sorts of things."
Emma nodded and looked at the dirty table with the empty glass of Coke that HJ had drank the day before. "Your DNA sample is right there. He had a glass of Coke while he was here. I forgot to pick it up before I drove him home, and as you can see I've been busy packing to care to put it in the dishwasher."
"Excellent," Ford said. "Of course, she'll probably argue that it's not an officially obtained proof of DNA, but this should give us a nice head start. "
Emma nodded. "What angle are you going to pursue on this? I mean, emotionally I think it's pretty obvious she's abusive, but it probably isn't enough to get her declared unfit."
"Really, love, are you going to ruin the surprise?"
"Well, I sort of know what I should be looking for you to help you. I am working for you after all."
"Not on your own case," Ford said. "Only a stupid lawyer works on their own case. You learned that in orientation, I'm sure."
"Ford," She said.
"Love," He said. "If you really want to help, keep pushing Regina's buttons. Moving to Storybrooke is a good start. And becoming a member of The Gold Law Firm will get her going too."
"She really hates you, doesn't she?" Emma asked.
"Yes. As far as she's concerned I'm dead. I mean, I haven't been in the place in decades. And I'm not going to show up until I can make sure she's not going to be able to take Jaime from you."
"And you think that's possible?" Emma asked.
"Oh, it's not only possible, but it is going to happen. In the meantime, we need you to look fit. I just hired you, so that takes care of employment. Do you have a place to stay yet?"
She shook her head and he smiled.
"Let me guess, you have the perfect place."
"Actually, I do." He said, "It's a rather large home that I purchased when I actually planned to live in that desolate spot. It's actually quite roomy. Perfect to raise a child in. Only problem is it's painted an atrocious salmon color. Regina issued a petty zoning code to make it that color, I left before I got around to fighting her for it. It's been empty for years, so I'll be extremely generous when negotiating rent with you."
"Ford." She said. "I don't—you've done too much already."
He shook his head. "This isn't about me being generous, love. I am merely trying to win my case. As much as you'd like to pull Jaime out of that backwards little town, you know that a court will favor you more if he isn't being uprooted as much."
"I could always rent an apartment." She said.
He shook his head. "You need to look comparable to Regina. On paper, she'll probably appear perfect. She lives in a mansion after all."
"Which is why you want me to rent your mansion?" Emma said.
"That and I know all the other properties are pretty much crap in that town." He said. "Consider house sitting part of your payment for me."
She nodded before she added. "There's one more thing. I don't know if it's going to help or not help my case. But Henry gave me this disturbing book."
"Disturbing?"
Not knowing exactly how to tell Ford about Once Upon a Time. Honestly, Emma didn't know how to explain the stupid book to herself. After seeing Regina and a few more residents in that town, she did notice an eerie similarity in appearance to the drawings in said book, and she wouldn't put it past Regina to play a trick on Jaime to get him to mind her.
She sighed. "Jaime brought this book with him. For a minute there, I was worried that he thought it was real."
"Well, he is a child. Children do have imaginations, Emma."
"I know that," She said. "I just, these were fairytales and he thought Regina was the Evil Queen."
"That's not that far off from reality, love." Ford said.
He had a point there.
"Yes, but fairytale characters. And he mentioned something about magic. Of course, I told him that neither was real."
"Naturally. Did you also have to break him the truth about Santa and the Easter Bunny?"
"Ford."
"Sorry," He said. "I get why it's concerning. But I don't see why this has to do with the custody case?"
"Because I think he might be right when he suspects that Regina is gas lighting him."
Taking care of the house would be a chore; Emma thought when she arrived at Ford's house a day later to unpack her stuff after she had made for the two-hour trip to Storybrooke.
It amazed her, how little stuff she had accumulated in ten years. Looking at the mansion that Gold wanted her to rent/house sit, she bet she could fit all her belongings into one room.
She had a hard time believing that the practical lawyer thought this place was a useful purchase. Then again, she guessed he could've inherited it.
"Emma?"
She turned to see Jaime walking towards her.
"Hey, kid." She said with a small smile wondering what he was doing outside in mid morning on a Tuesday. "Shouldn't you be in school?"
The boy shrugged. "Food poisoning. I'm feeling better now though."
"Really?" Emma said.
"I needed a day off." The kid said not even bothering to lie. "And Regina did cook last night. She made apple turnovers again. I always get sick when she makes those."
"You might be allergic to them like I am," Emma said.
Jaime shrugged. "Maybe. I know I'm allergic to strawberries. I have to carry a pin around with me because of that. I don't have breathing issues when I eat apples though, I just get itchy and my stomach usually hurts. She loves them though, and always makes me eat them. So, I get lots of unintentional holidays."
Emma shook her head as Jaime noticed the moving truck. "You're moving into there?"
"Yeah," She said. "I got a good deal on the place. I heard it's been empty for years."
"It's owned by Mr. Gold," Henry said. "I never seen the guy, but he owns everything. Save for Regina's house. I think that place used to be his."
Emma nodded.
"How'd you get the place?" The boy asked.
"I got a job at The Gold Law Firm and I mentioned I was looking for a place." Emma said with a shrug.
"The Gold Law Firm? Right, you're a lawyer. I thought that place had been closed for years."
"I made some inquiries." Emma said. "They also have a branch in Boston and I know some contacts. I'll be managing the Storybrooke location."
"So you are staying then?" Jaime asked.
"For a bit."
Jaime eyed her. "You didn't like her, did you? You think I might be right about this book thing?"
"HJ, the book isn't real." Emma said, "I thought we've been through this."
He rolled his eyes. "I'm not crazy, Emma. You think Regina's gas lighting me with the thing.
She sighed heavily. "I really don't know, HJ."
"Jaime," He said. "I know that's what you really want to call me."
It was but she shook her head. "HJ will do for now. I did look at the book again, and I showed it to one of my friends. He—he wanted to take a closer look at it. To see if he could find anything about its origins."
HJ rolled his eyes. "I think it's origins are pretty obvious, Emma. I'll give you a hint her name starts with the letter R and she could become a bearded lady if her career for mayor ever went sour."
Emma had to control herself from chuckling a bit, but also found herself flummoxed at how little respect Jaime seemed to have for his mother. Then again, Regina hadn't exactly been nice or even seemed that worried about Jaime when she returned him to her. Instead, she acted like Emma had stolen him and was more intent about ruining her life.
"That may be the case, but I am interested in seeing what he has to come up with." Emma said. "You mind giving me a hand with some of these boxes?"
Henry nodded. "So, you're really moving in?"
She shrugged. "Like I told you, I have a job here. It was an offer I couldn't refuse."
She managed to unload the car and trailer within an hour or so with Jaime's help.
She could tell why Ford never stayed in this place, there was just something innately lonely about the mansion. It didn't remind her of her friend at all. It was much too cluttered for one thing. Although, there were some suits from a couple of decades ago that were laying around that she could've seen Ford in.
Jaime whistled. "And I thought Regina's place was depressing."
"He hasn't lived here in decades." Emma said defending her friend. "I'm supposed to update the place like I want."
"I'd paint the outside," Jaime said. "Seriously, pink."
"It's salmon." Emma corrected. "And if you want to complain, complain to your mother. She made some stupid zoning decision where it had to be painted this atrocious color."
"Yeah, that sounds about right." Jaime said. "Hey, do you want to go to Granny's—that the diner we went to the other day for brunch. I really want a burger."
"You're supposed to be sick." Emma said, "I think it would totally ruin your act."
The kid shrugged. "They won't care. They never really do."
"How often do you miss school, Jaime?" Emma asked not even realizing she called the boy his birth name.
The boy shook his head. "It really doesn't matter, Emma."
"It sort of does," She said knowing that a court would be very interested in how often Jaime went to school.
The boy shrugged. "I'm not getting that much of a quality education at Storybrooke Day School if that's what you're worried about."
It was Emma's turn to roll her eyes. "You need to go to school, HJ."
"I prefer it when you call me Jaime." The boy said. "Honestly, HJ doesn't sound right. At least from you."
"I'm not going to change the subject." Emma said. "I'll eat lunch with you, but then you need to go to school."
The boy sighed, "But I was going to help you unpack."
"Get your bag," Emma said.
"Emma," He said. "Please."
She shook her head. "I am not going to aid you in ditching school. I do not want to end up in a Storybrooke jail cell."
And she wanted to make sure she looked like she was the responsible parent, which was why after eating burgers with HJ she made a point of taking him back to the school.
"Henry," A short dark headed woman said. "I thought you were out sick for the day?"
There was something familiar about the woman. It took Emma a moment to noticed that she looked a lot like the Snow White drawings in the book except, of course, the woman's hair was way shorter and she was even more modestly dressed than the fairytale princess.
"I think tales of his illness were exaggerated," Emma said smiling at her. "I'm Emma Swan, HJ's birthmother."
"HJ?" She said.
"Remember, I asked you to start calling me that in class yesterday." The boy said.
"That's right," The teacher said. "You can go put your things away. I'd like to have a quick words with Emma if that's okay."
The boy nodded and left.
"I suspected Henry—err, HJ—was playing hooky for years." The woman said. "But I couldn't prove it. Thanks for bringing him in."
"To be fair, I do think he might've had a reaction to his dinner last night," Emma said. "But he seemed perfectly healthy when he asked to help me unload my things."
"Things?" Mary Margret said. "I thought you lived in Boston. At least that's what Mayor Mills said when I called to check up on HJ."
"I had a job offer that I couldn't' refuse." Emma said, "So I decided to relocate."
"Ah," Mary Margret said. "What do you do again?"
"I'm an attorney," Emma said. "I'm managing The Gold Law Firm."
At this Mary Margret's eyes went large. "Mr. Gold. I haven't heard from the man in years. I know there was an office, but—"
Emma practiced the rehearsed speech she and Ford went through last night. "The firm is fairly known outside of Storybrooke. I made inquires about the legal community here the other day, and I had an associate who recommended me. I think they wanted to make sure that someone was managing the original location."
"I'm sure," Mary Margret said. "I'm glad you're here for HJ, Ms. Swan."
"Emma," Emma said. "You can call me, Emma."
"We should do coffee sometime," The perky teacher said. "I know how it is to be new in town and I'm sure you'd like to know more about HJ."
"That sounds nice." Emma said.
If only everyone was pleasant as Mary Margret. Most people hadn't said anything just stared at her. Especially when she went into law firm's building.
Gold had been pretty up front with her. "It's going to be a mess, Emma. I haven't been in the place in years. And I don't think we have any staff in that location. You might have to completely gut the place."
Completely gut the place was right. The computer he had in there looked like it had came out when PC's were relatively a new thing. Emma doubted it still worked, and if it did, she really doubted it could get Internet, which was necessary for her to access Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.
The law library at the office while well stocked with digests, seemed to have been last updated twenty-eight years ago given the date on the tomes. Odd, there was no way Ford could be practicing law that long. At his oldest Ford was probably about fifty, that would've meant he would've had to start practicing at twenty-two. And even though Ford was a legal mastermind, Emma doubted that he could've gotten licensed that early in life.
She shrugged though, not knowing the particulars. It seemed like Storybrooke had merely been a launch pad for Ford's career. Perhaps, he grew up here. Besides, the digests might've been a gift—perhaps when he first entered law school?
She was being way too speculative, she thought as she made notes of all the necessary updates that were needed in the place.
She sighed heavily as she heard the door opening. "We're not open." She called.
"Emma?"
It was Graham.
"Graham," She said. "I mean, Sherriff Humbert."
"Graham will do." He said, "Someone called to report trespassing. I'm assuming you're not."
"No," She said. "I'm the new managing attorney of this office."
"It's dusty in here," The sheriff said as he walked towards the back of the office was.
"And outdated." Emma said, "He didn't tell me it was going to be this bad."
Graham nodded. "I can't even remember the time anyone was in here. I barely even remember Mr. Gold to be honest."
Emma nodded. "There are several locations of the place throughout the country."
"I imagine," He said. "Though, I guess it helps to know the firms' owner."
Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Remember, I investigated you." He said, "I knew a few things. Like that your lawyer's name was Ford Gold. I did put two and two together."
"Did you tell Regina?" She asked.
"I really don't see the point," He said. "Ford is out of her life. I didn't even think it was the same Ford Gold."
"Really," Emma said. "So, you were going to tell her if it was that Ford Gold? I don't see how that's any of her business."
"You're right," Graham said. "It really isn't any of her business. I actually feel sorry for Ford Gold if you want to know the truth."
"Do you?" Emma said.
Graham nodded. "Before he left town there was some drama going on with his wife. Things ended very sadly."
"Are you talking about Hermione?" Emma said. "I didn't think they were married."
"Hermione?" Graham said like there was something about that name that confused him. "That name sounds familiar."
"She's Ford's assistant." Emma said, "I didn't think they were married."
"No," Graham said. "His wife's name wasn't Hermione. Her name was Lacey. Lacey Gold. She passed away years ago. It was a horrible accident. Moe French, her father, was behind the wheel allegedly drunk. The girl didn't stand a chance."
"That's awful," Emma said. "I…Ford, never told me."
Maybe that had been why he had been so unwilling to move on with Hermione. She remembered catching him kissing his assistant and later coming out of her room the night of that gala, it had been her push to move on. She had been so happy for him, though oddly he never talked about Hermione now. Only when she brought her up.
"It's a pretty painful subject around here," Graham said. "Regina I remembered help Moe from being charged with manslaughter. Obviously, Gold didn't take it lightly."
"Obviously," Emma said. "Moe was drunk. He should've been charged."
"Allegedly drunk," Graham said. "Needless to say, I have to commend Gold for taking the high road and leaving town. Really didn't think the man would do that."
Emma just shook her head.
While she was unpacking she found a photo of the dead Mrs. Gold and Ford on their wedding day. She was a pretty little thing, dark haired with bright blue eyes. Oddly enough, Gold looked pretty much the same as he did today. He might've looked a little younger and carefree, but not enough where Emma could really tell that much difference.
She shook her head at all of this, as she started dialing Gold's digits to discuss the improvements needed to the office when there was a knock on her door.
It was Regina. She looked a little less haggard than the other day. She guessed not running around looking for HJ helped matters. Like on Sunday, she was dressed in yet another business suit. The mustache though was mostly gone, but there were few dark strands of dark hair that she missed.
She almost slammed the door shut as soon as she opened it, but rather she put on her professional lawyer face. She had to play a part, she told herself. For HJ. "Mayor Mills, how may I help you?"
"Yes," Regina said bluntly, "I thought we might have a little chat. And I came to apologize. It seems I was wrong the other day, apparently."
"Obviously," Emma said.
"You have to understand. You were in jail. You were supposed to stay there the rest of your life. I didn't think that you'd ever come back here and intrude on our lives "
"I'm hardly being obstructive."
"Then why are you still in Storybrooke? And for that matter why are you in this house of all places."
"I got a new job. My new employment required me to having housing this is what they offered." Emma stated.
"This is Rumford Gold's house.
Rumford? No wonder he went by Ford.
"Yes," Emma said. "I work for The Gold Law Firm. I'm now managing their Storybrooke branch."
"That is ludicrous." She said. "Rumford hasn't been in Storybrooke for years. He's as good as dead."
"Maybe, but his firm wanted to revitalize the office." Emma said. "You know there's branches in Boston."
A weird look came over Regina's face as if she thought of something. "Oh. So one of your Boston friends got the position for you."
"Yes," Emma said.
"I don't mean to sound harsh, Ms. Swan, but Storybrooke really doesn't need any lawyers. We pride ourselves on working things out on our own. I know that something so wholesome probably doesn't make sense to a city dweller like you, but that's life in a small town. I just don't think it would really suit you."
Emma rolled her eyes. "So, what you mean is I'm not welcomed."
"I never actually said that." The woman said.
"You all but implied it," Emma said. "Why did you really come here, Regina?"
"I got a call from the school," Regina said. "To put it bluntly, I don't want you being around Henry. You have no rights."
"I was just returning him to school, I thought—"
"I don't care what you thought, you aren't his mother. You gave up those rights a long time ago. As far as I'm concerned, you're an egg donor and a glorified incubator. If I see the two of you communicating, I will call the police. Do you understand?"
"Do you have a restraining order?" Emma asked.
Regina glared at her, "I'll get one if I have to. I have a funny feeling the court's will grant me one. They tend to not like murderers, Ms. Swan."
"Oh, please. We've already established that I've been exonerated." Emma said rolling her eyes before coughing. She smelt something coming off of the woman that reeked. "What is that smell?"
Regina smirked, "I made you a tart. Apple. It's a welcome gift. I do it for every new resident it was the pretense for coming over here."
"I think you confused welcoming and harassment," Emma said feeling her throat starting to close from the mere smell of that thing.
"Of course not." Regina said, "We're just having an understanding. Now you stay away from Henry, do you understand?"
"You can stuff that tart up your ass." Emma said before slamming the door shut in Regina's face as she gasped for air.
There was banging for a few minutes, but eventually Regina got the picture and left her alone for now. And without the smell of apples, Emma could finally breathe normally again. She shook her head as she got out her phone, dialing Ford's number.
He picked up after the first ring.
"Regina's the one who made the tainted tarts, isn't she?"
He laughed. "Yeah, I wouldn't eat anything she made. I'm taking it you had another encounter."
"You could say that." Emma said. "She's threatening me with a restraining order if I spend time with Jaime."
"Of course she is," He said. "Don't worry, we'll be ready. I already have a few theories I'm working on. I hate to ask this, but do you remember much of your time in England?"
"I told you it's all a blur." Emma said. "Most of it's just a haze. I remember visiting Big Ben, the London Eye and all the touristy sort things. But really, I know that's not worth three months of memories. Why?"
"Just checking," He said. "I need to account for all of your time. Regina is going to be digging, you know."
"There's something else to it, Ford. Isn't there?"
"Not over the phone, love." He said.
"Ford," She said.
He sighed heavily, "I need to meet with you anyway in Boston later this week to discuss the Storybrooke office and the budget for renovations. By then, I should have something concrete. "
"I don't like him in the care of that woman," Emma said. "She doesn't watch him. He had food poisoning last night, and rather than taking him to the doctor she left him at home alone. And the way he acted it seemed like he was allergic to her rancid tarts."
"Is he okay?" Ford asked sounding concerned.
"Jaime is fine." She said, "I think whatever it was in his system got out last night. By the time I saw him, he was fit to go to school. Was having a Me Day of sorts."
Ford laughed.
"It's not funny," Emma said.
"I know," He said. "He's ten. He shouldn't have been left alone period."
Emma nodded.
"Ford,"
"Yeah."
"I found out why you left town today. I am so sorry about the accident. I wish I would've known."
"Accident?"
"You know with your wife." She said.
"Wife." He said, "You know about my wife?"
There was something odd about the way he said that. Emma continued, "Yes. I saw a picture at the house. Her name was Lacey, right? I'm sorry that Regina kept you from getting justice."
"Oh." He said. "I—thank you, Emma."
He somehow sounded disappointed. She didn't know any other way to describe it. She was probably misinterpreting it. "I wish I would've known, I would've never pushed you to be with Hermione."
"I never was with Hermione," He said. "I told you I was never interested in her."
"But I thought—"
"You thought wrong, Emma." He said, "I haven't gotten over my wife yet, and I don't know if I ever will."