A/N-I had originally planned to release this 2 Wednesdays ago but decided to rework it a bit to include a new char based on a friend who passed away rather unexpectedly the weekend before we were slammed with Dorian. Upon further reflection I decided to remove her part since I couldn't possibly do justice to her memory as she deserves, not to mention it was incredibly difficult to try and write her part without feeling her loss. Q-You will forever be in our hearts. Thank you for everything you did for us and thank you for being there for me during this time. I will miss you dearly my friend!
Also, considering the day today I'd like to take a moment to thank those who have served or are currently serving in the military. Thank you for your selfless sacrifices. To any and all current or former first responders, whether you are an EMT, Firefighter or police officer-Thank you as well for the things you do every day. You are appreciated. To any and all current of former doctors or nurses-Thank you for caring for those who can not do it themselves. You are all so very often unsung heroes.
As always-I own nothing but the mistakes. Thank you all once again for your patience!
On her way back to her car after leaving Archie's office, Emma's thoughts were jumbled and swirling. She'd talked about stuff she hadn't spoken about to anyone outside of a few select people in years, and the thoughts and memories associated were threatening to overwhelm her. She needed to distract her chaotic mind and latched on to the idea that had begun to take form while sitting on that couch. She desperately wanted to do something for Regina after hearing her side of the story, or at least some of the stories. Something that would benefit the Mayor as well as the townspeople and maybe, just maybe, it would show the townspeople that Regina wasn't the vile and despicable person they thought she was. A plan had begun forming while she was talking to Archie, but she was going to need help and she knew just who to contact. She pulled her phone from her back pocket and checked the time. If she was right, then her hopefully future accomplice should be on his way home.
3:01 p.m. Em-Hey kid!
3:01 p.m. Kid-Emma? What's up?
3:02 p.m. Em-Well, I kinda need your help with something.
3:02 p.m. Kid-Oh? Is it going to get me grounded.
3:02 p.m. Em-Ummm...I dunno TBH
3:03 p.m. Kid-Okkkkaaayyy….what is it you need?
3:03 p.m. Em-How difficult would it be to sneak into your moms office and get a file for me?
3:04 p.m. Kid-...you…..want me to steal a file? From my MOM?!
3:04 p.m. Em-err...well when you put it that way….I just need to borrow it for a bit.
3:04 p.m. Kid-Okayyyy…. what exactly are you needing?
3:05 p.m. Em-Your mom showed me some files yesterday. They were plans for the park down by the beach.
3:05 p.m. Kid-Oh I know what you're talking about. I helped her with those.
3:06 p.m. Em-You did?
3:06 p.m. Kid-Yeah! I told her what the kids from school talked about and what they wanted out of a real park. She added in everything they wanted! Shame Mr. Gold has to be an as...err a butt….umm a jerk.
If Emma didn't already have a tremendously high respect for the Mayor already then that would have most assuredly pushed her over the edge. The fact that the woman had taken into account, not only her son's suggestions, but the suggestions of his classmates? Granted, he had been the one making those suggestions on their behalves, but still. Regina was just amazing! She was….perfect. 'Oh my GOD, what the fuck am I thinking?! FOCUS SWAN!' She shook her head and refocused her attention back on the plan.
3:07 p.m. Em-LOL don't worry kid I won't tell your mom. And she did, did she?!
3:07 p.m. Kid-Yeah! She wanted the kids to have a safe place to go and have fun and she figured it would mean more if the kids who used it would get a say in what went in to it.
3:07 p.m. Em-Well, Kid, if everything works out then everyone will get what they want.
3:08 p.m. Kid-Are we gonna do an operation?!
3:08 p.m. Em-An operation?
3:08 p.m. Kid-Yeah! Like….hmm…Operation Gryffindor!
3:09 p.m. Em-How about Operation Sand Castle?
3:09 p.m. Kid-Ugh you need something cooler like...oh we could make it Operation Q! Like for Quidditch!
3:10 p.m. Em-What does Quidditch have to do with parks and beaches?
3:10 p.m. Kid-*sigh* Well cause Quidditch...you know what? Never mind
3:11 p.m. Em-I know what Quidditch is kid. And operation Q is fine, we'll go with that, seems less obvious. How about you just let me know when you get the plans okay?
3:11 p.m. Kid-See that's EXACTLY the point of operations! So you can talk about em without anyone else knowing what it is! Operation Sand Castle just screams the beach and...well anyhow! LOL You got it! I'll link the plans to you when I get them. Talk to you later Em!
3:12 p.m. Em-Thanks, kid! Walk safely!
Now that she had Henry on board with the plans, it was time to enact the second part. She closed out of her chat with Henry before opening a mass group text to her army family.
3:15 p.m. Swan-Yo! I need some help!
3:17 p.m. Hook-More love advice, Swan?
3:17 p.m. Grif-I can't believe she went to YOU first
3:18 p.m. Hook-Oh come now, luv, are you jealous?
3:18 p.m. Grif-Hardly guy liner. Lexa is in the shower and then she'll join us.
3:18 p.m. Boothe-Pics!
3:19 p.m. Tink-I have to agree with Boothe on that
3:19 p.m. Hook-...
3:20 p.m. Grif-I can see you typing Hook! Don't even! My god the level of perversion here! How are we all friends?! I'm not going to take pics of my girlfriend in the shower! Or at least none that I will share with you….You know what? BRB
3:21 p.m. Em-LOL She's going to go get pics that she's never going to send us isn't she? Yes, that sounds about right. Have I told you all how much I missed you?!
3:21 p.m. Hook-I'm truly touched, Swan
3:22 p.m. Boothe-Yeah yeah I'm sure you miss us. How's your new job, new car, new apartment and new girl treating you?
3:23 p.m. Em-I don't have a new girl!
She silently thanked her lucky stars that she hadn't opted for a video call. The harassment would have been never ending if they had seen the blush on her face.
3:23 p.m. Hook-Not that you don't want a new girl or anything
3:24 p.m. Em-With all due respect, Captain….STFU lol
3:24 p.m. Hook-LOL yeah yeah
3:25 p.m. Tink-So whatcha need from us Swanny?
3:25 p.m. Em-oh right! Okay so I wanted to do something to help out the town and there were some pretty awesome plans for a park and revitalization of the beach and stuff but the local construction company owner is a complete asshole and I just figured I could get the crew together to come and give a hand.
3:27 p.m. Lexa-Sorry I'm here. Oh, I should have known you all were the reason why Clarke was suddenly taking pictures.
3:27 p.m. Hook-She took the pics?
3:28 p.m. Boothe-She's going to send them right?!
3:28 p.m. Tink-Yes please Grif! I will pay you for those pics!
3:29 p.m. Grif-Nope! These pics are mine! Besides Lexa would kill me
3:30 p.m. Lexa-Indeed I would. You all DO remember my training right?
3:31 p.m. Tink-Errr yeah...nm keep the pics!
3:31 p.m. Swan-FOCUS! ALL OF YOU!
3:32 p.m. Hook-Sorry, Swan
3:32 p.m. Boothe-Sorry, Ems
3:32 p.m. Tink-My bad!
3:33 p.m. Lexa-Apologies Emma, please do go on.
3:33 p.m. Grif-Sorry Ems!
3:34 p.m. Swan-Anyhow!
Emma spent the next ten minutes telling them about the plans that Regina had so painstakingly devised for the park and surrounding area and then the underhanded tactics of Gold Construction. Then she outlined her plan to bring those plans to fruition using the help of her new spy and her friends.
3:46 p.m. Grif-Uh huh….and this is JUST for the town hmm?
3:47 p.m. Hook-*snickers*
3:47 p.m. Boothe-Yes I'm sure Hotty McMayor has NOTHING to do with why you want to do this
3:48 p.m. Swan-Shut up! All of you!
3:48 p.m. Lexa-Regardless of your motivations, we would be more than willing to assist you, Emma. Just give us a day and time.
3:49 p.m. Tink-You said she's got plans? Email em to me when you get em!
3:49 p.m. Swan-Yeah I figured you'd want to look them over. I already have my little spy working on getting them then I'll send em over.
3:50 p.m. Hook-I'll have Smee start looking for good materials and the like that we could use for this. He's got a few contacts that owe us for various things. We could probably get a few donations on plants and vegetation and the like.
3:51 p.m. Swan-That sounds amazing! Remind me to find a new hat for Smee
3:52 p.m. Tink-I'll look over the plans and see if it needs any extra modifications and such to make it safer, cheaper and sooooo much more fun and then get back with you.
3:53 p.m. Grif-I'll look into coordinating people, I'm sure I can get around 100 or so to either volunteer time or resources.
3:54 p.m. Boothe-I've got some contacts I can probably get some wood from, I know a wood carver who can get some wood cheap.
3:55 p.m. Lexa-Don't worry about that, August. I'm sure I can get support from the Trikru company. They would LOVE to be able to stick it to Gold's company. I wouldn't be surprised if Indra donates a vast majority of the materials if only to be able to slap the Trikru logo everywhere she possibly can within Gold's territory. Between Indra and Smee's connections I highly doubt we'll require any further materials.
3:56 p.m. Boothe-I totally forgot about your connections! Yeah let's do that.
3:56 p.m. Grif-Ah yeah I forgot about Indra! Yeah if she can get the materials then I'll have my people do food and refreshments.
3:56 p.m. Hook-*snickers* this is going to be fun isn't it?
3:57 p.m. Boothe-This is going to be AWESOME!
3:57 p.m. Swan-*sniffs* god I love you all so much! 3
3:58 p.m. Tink-We got your back Swanny!
3:58 p.m. Grif-yeah you know we're here for ya!
3:58 p.m. Boothe-You're our Savior! It's what you do and we'll always be there to back you up!
3:59 p.m. Lexa-We're always here for whatever you need, Emma.
3:59 p.m. Hook-Just shoot us a message about when you want to set sail on this venture and we'll be there with bells on.
4:00 p.m. Swan-You got it! I'll let you know ASAP! 3 I love you all!
4:00 p.m. Grif-Love you too girl!
4:01 p.m. Lexa-The feeling is mutual
4:01 p.m. Hook-Love you too, Swan!
4:02 p.m. Boothe-3
4:02 p.m. Tink-Love ya!
With the plan in place and the biggest smile on her face, Emma closed out of the chat. She twirled her keys on her finger before sliding into the seat of her bug. Now that she had an idea of who was doing what, all she needed was the plans and a time and date for this operation to proceed. She turned on the car and swung it towards home. It was definitely time for a beer and something to help her blow off steam and relax after the day she'd had.