This is now my second story, and for those of you who read Her Blonde Toy, don't worry, I haven't forgotten that story. Just taking a side step. An update will posted to that one very soon. In the mean time, please tell me what you think of this story. This first chapter is all about Emma. Enjoy and leave feed back :)

~disclaimer~ I do not own the show or the characters, this is just my twist. Also, if there's already a story like this, I apologize in advance as I have not read it. Please let me have my creativity and know that I am not copying anything. Thank you.

Emma listened to the buzz one last time. That joyful buzz, well the buzz she used to hate, but today she loved. It was the buzz of the doors opening for her, the jail doors were finally opening and this time, she was walking out, not in. She had her little paper bag of things she had come in with; her jacket, wallet, phone that probably didn't work anymore, a lighter, a little bit of pocket change, and the key chain with keys that Neal had sent to her once she was already in jail. She sighed as she rubbed her thumb over the swan that was engraved in the cool metal.

"Okay Swan, time to turn your life around." Once in the car, and starting it with the key and not a screwdriver, she looked at her paper work that she got from court.

"Storybrooke Maine. Never even heard of it and they couldn't find it on a map. This should be easy." She sighed, thinking that even if she didn't have a map, at least the mayor had given directions. So, off she started, stopping to get gas and a lot of sugar for her ride. Even though she was broke when she went into jail, the court had given her some money to start her new life with. It was all part of this new rehabilitation program they wanted to get funding for. Let an inmate out, give them a respectable job, check in on them now and then, and show that they can be rehabilitated. Of course, Emma couldn't help but chuckle, being that she wasn't a hard core criminal. Of course that's why they chose her. Get someone who was pretty much already good, and skew the results a little.

And so it was for that reason that the blonde found herself now driving down some road with forest on both sides, looking for a town that didn't seem to exist. She ran her fingers through her hair as she remembered her court appearance.

"Ms. Swan, you are more than capable of being a contributing member of society. You have been dealt a raw hand, but it is up to you to change that. You have been assigned to be a personal assistant to a very respectable member of society." Emma chuckled at how many times she heard the words 'member of society' that day.

"Regina Mills is the mayor of a very successful small town called Sagebrooke." There was a pause as the judge looked closer. "No, Storybrooke. Storybrooke Maine. She knows you are coming and has graciously agreed to be a part of this...for lack of a better word, experiment." The judge then looked over her glasses at Emma and gave a small smile. "Just do as your told, as you would any job - and yes, this is a job, you are getting paid - and she will report to us biweekly on your progress. If there are any issues, we hope you are able to work them out on your own, but if Regina sees fit, she will report you and you will be back here in jail for your remaining 2 years. If you do well, after one year, your record will be wiped clean. Also, Regina has mentioned that if you do good, there could be a permanent job for you. Ms. Swan..Emma...the system was not good to you. I've seen your records, you've been through so much. More than any foster child ever should go through. I believe in you, I fought for you to be the one to get to do this. I want to see you turn things around, have a great life, and I think this is the perfect step for that."

Emma teared up even now as she remembered that. No one had ever acknowledged that she had a rough past and this woman did - she also believed in her, and that meant so much to Emma. She would do what ever it took to get good reports and make sure this is good for her.

Just when Emma was about to turn around and call the number provided for her, she saw the "Welcome to Storybrooke" sign.

"Welcome to the town that never ages..." Emma said to herself as she drove into what looked like a 1950's town. "Shit...this is the Twighlight zone."

Emma found the Town Hall building and noticed she was early, which was good, because she probably looked like shit. She then drove out to a road that went to the forest and pulled over. Seeing no one around, she got out and opened her trunk, pulling out a few pieces of clothing she had. She changed into her nicest, and coincidentally tightest jeans as she had no dress pants. She then had this white, flowing dress shirt. Technically it could be worn as a dress, and people her age did do that, but she did not want to be slutty - she never did like dressing to show herself off. Pulling out a mock suede belt, she put that around herself, between her stomach and her breasts, like high waist, and buckled it. Not having a mirror, she looked at her reflection in the window. "

Not bad, Swan." She smiled and changed into her brown boots, as she had no flat shoes, but the boots worked with her outfit. She then ran her fingers through her curly blonde hair, trying to give it some volume. It really didn't work, Emma realized that so many days inside, no sun, no fresh air, no real nutrient foods was a bit hard to hide. She just sighed and pulled the sides back, almost hippy like. Maybe after a few days out of that hell, her hair would shine again like it used to. Emma sat back in her car and pulled the mirror on the visor down.

"Shit Swan. You look like a damn skeleton." Emma sighed as she pressed her fingers to her hollow cheeks. She didn't have any make up, but she pinched at her cheeks to give them more color. The truth was, Emma was almost a human skeleton. It's what happened to girls like her in jail. Newbies, young bloods, the ones the older and more veterened residents picked on. She barely got any of her food, as she had to give it to others in return for safety. You wouldn't ever guess that just 9 months ago, Emma had given birth to a baby. With that thought, Emma shook her head.

"Not going there Swan. Not now." Before she could think on that more, she started the car and drove back to Town

Walking up the steps, Emma didn't know why she was nervous. She already had the job, she really didn't have anything to worry about. Today was more of a meet and great anyway, nothing major. But she was about to meet her new boss, of course she was nervous. Emma knocked on the door, her knuckles barely making a sound, but it was opened by a wiry blonde haired woman.

"You must be Emma Swan. You're early. That's good." The woman smiled, stepping back with a little wink. Emma smiled back and walked in.

"Yes, I am Emma. Are you Madam Regina...I mean Regina Mayor..." Emma sighed, turning a deep shade of red. "I mean, Regina Mills, Madam Mayor?" The woman just chuckled and placed a comforting hand on the blondes shoulder.

"I'm not. I'm Malory, Mal for short. Relax sweetie, the Mayor has a bark, but she doesn't bite hard." Emma could have sworn she heard the woman add "unless you want her to." But shook her head, telling herself it was all in her head. "I'm her part time secretary. I have a feeling you and I will be working together quite a bit. Please, have a seat and I'll let her know you're here." Emma thanked her and sat down, hearing a buzzing sound as Mal pushed a button. "Ms. Mills? Your two o'clock is here."