CurvyPragmatist - Reset

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/3072524.

Reset

by CurvyPragmatist

Chapter 1

There were two distinctive, similar sounds that Emma dreaded hearing when she was at work. One was the sound of Regina Mills heels clicking and the other was the occasional clack of Mister Golds cane as either one approached her office. Emma was convinced that they had set put their differences aside if only to coordinate their diaries to ensure that one or the other was disrupting Emmas day with some ridiculous business.

Today it seemed to be Mister Golds turn and Emma looked up from her desk as the man walked into the main office and turned to see Emma in her office. He was holding a manila folder in one hand and leaning on his cane with the other, Sheriff Swan, youre very hard to get hold of, he commented with a greasy smile.

Truth be told Emma had been avoiding Gold, shed seen him a few times lately and just as he looked like he was going to approach her she had managed to dodge him. Clearly hed decided to bring his issue to her door so she put her pen down and indicated the chair in front of her desk with a nod of her head.

Thank you, he said with a smile as he sat down and placed the folder on the desk in front of him.

Well? Emma asked with a sigh. She was in no mood to play any games, since the curse had been lifted five months ago she had gone out of her way to have as little to do with the man as possible. She knew he was responsible for bringing magic to Storybrooke and she also knew he had sent the wraith after Regina, to her mind that was enough to steer clear of the man.

Right down to business, Gold grinned, I like that in a person. If you ever get bored of law enforcement..

Gold, Emma interrupted in a low, warning voice.

Of course, he said as if suddenly remembering his business with her. She hated the genial faade he would display, it usually meant he was planning something.

As you will know, Gold began, I am the closest thing Storybrooke has to a lawyer. My.. understanding of contracts has been contracted to engage in a spot of business with you, Sheriff.

With me? Emma frowned, I dont have anything to sell..

Ah, this isnt a contract of sale, Miss Swan, Gold smiled as he tapped the folder lightly with his finger, this is.. more of bequest.

Bequest? Emma asked, has someone died?

Not exactly, Gold said with a smirk as he opened the folder to reveal a stack of official documents. He picked up the covering piece of paper and turned it to face Emma and laid it in front of her on the desk.

Emma looked down at the document, she could see her name, Henrys name and Reginas name. It had been signed by Regina and witnessed by Gold. There was another space for Emmas signature.

What is this? Emma asked with irritation.

I believe its rather clear, Sheriff, Gold frowned as he leaned forward and run his finger across the top line of the document and read aloud, Adoption dissolution.

Emmas heart began to pound loudly in her chest as a number of terrifying thoughts ran through her mind, cut the crap, what is this? Explain it! Now!

Gold looked put out by her outburst but she knew it was all part of the butter-wouldnt-melt act that he liked to play.

Regina is absolving her rights towards Henry, she is undoing the adoption and placing him, legally, in your care, Gold explained.

Emma picked up the paper in shaky hands and read the first few lines which, although in legal language that made little sense to her, seemed to corroborate what he was claiming.

Henry will be your son. Regina will have no legal right to see him, in fact she stipulates that she doesnt wish to see him, Gold continued.

Why.. Emma breathed and looked up at Gold with a fierce glare, why would she do this? What is she planning?

Gold leaned back in his chair and shrugged, I am merely in charge of the creation, delivery and witnessing of the documentation.

Emma slammed the piece of paper back onto the folder, Im not signing anything, this is some kind of twisted game.

I did rather suspect that you would think so, Gold nodded, Edith Monroe has some legal experience, as does Katherine Nolan and I believe Widow Lucas would also be able to assist you. I suggest you speak with someone else to confirm the validity of these documents, including the timescale requirements.

What requirements? Emma hissed at him.

Regina feels she is in an unsustainable situation and would like this matter resolved sooner rather than later, to this end she wishes for these documents to be signed and acted upon within the next twenty eight days. Unless, of course, you wish to negotiate the terms of the agreement, Gold sighed as if the whole conversation was boring him.

Gold may well have been bored but Emmas brain was doing somersaults, what happens in twenty eight days if I dont sign?

Then Henry will be put into care, Gold said simply, Regina will dissolve the adoption one way or another.

Emmas mouth fell open and she stared at Gold in utter shock.

She has proposed a generous settlement figure, a little too generous if you ask me, Gold sniffed as he sought out another sheet of paper and handed that to Emma.

Emma held the paper and looked at it but nothing was registering in her mind. She had drawn a blank.

The two hundred thousand dollars will be paid to you in monthly increments until Henry is eighteen years of age, Gold explained, the remainder of the money is for further education.

Why is she doing this? Emma whispered as the piece of paper in her hand shook.

It is my understanding that Regina has not seen the boy since her curse was broken, Gold said, over twenty weeks ago, nearly half a year.

But.. Emma stuttered, but.. she, she loves him, I know she does..

Adoption dissolution doesnt mean she doesnt care for the boy, Gold pointed out, maybe she is just giving him his best chance?

Gold stood up, I will leave these documents with you, Sheriff, I suggest you look over them in depth at your own leisure. Contact me when you are ready to sign them, or if you wish to amend anything within the contract.

Gold looked down at the blonde haired Sheriff who was still staring at the papers in shock. He sighed.

Ill see myself out, he said and clacked his cane along the hard floor of the corridor on his way out.

Emma didnt know if it had been thirty seconds after he left or thirty minutes when she actually returned to her senses and grabbed the folder from the other side of the desk and started to flip through the different pieces of paper. She tried to read the lengthy legal papers but she was too frantic to take it in and kept staring at the words adoption dissolution.

She quickly gathered up the papers and put them inside the folder and grabbed her brown leather jacket from the back of her chair and quickly rushed out of the office. A few moments later Emma was sprinting up the street towards the diner, on the way a few people greeted her happily but she ignored them as she raced into the building.

Hey, Ruby said as she saw Emma enter the diner, everything okay?

Wheres Granny? Emma panted as she looked around the restaurant for the older woman.

Shes in the office by the bed and breakfast reception, Ruby answered and Emma quickly made her way past chairs and tables to cross through to the bed and breakfast side of the business. As she got to the reception desk she called out for the older woman.

Granny emerged from the office with her glasses in her hand, Emma? Is everything okay, Child?

Emma held the folder out with shaky hands, Gold said you have some experience of legal documents? Contracts?

Granny nodded and took the folder and raised her arm to gesture for Emma to go into the small office. Ruby had ran after Emma to see what was happening and arrived in the reception area and shared a concerned expression with Granny.