chapter 21

~ Flashback ~

The elevator bell dings and the  doors open.  The doors opened to show Emma swan a fancy restaurant and the elevator could be found right at the back surrounded in a dark circle wooden frame. People sat at tables.  Some occupied by two and some occupied by one. The elevator doors were mirrored at one side presenting a clear reflection to the people inside. There is indistinct conversations happening in the room as Emma swan walks in wearing a bright red dress that's hugs her body perfectly. She looks around a little shocked at how fancy this place was but keeps on her game face.  Her blonde curly hair down around her beautiful face. She walks around the back of down booths smiling at another couple quickly before looking around for the person she was supposed to meet.  Her mouth opens as she thinks she sees the guy she is looking for.

He has shortly shaved hair,  probably on a number one. He wears a lilac shirt that is unfastened one button at the top making his collar hang loose around his neck  he has on a black tuxedo and presumably the same matching trousers. He has a glass of red wine in front of him.  Just under halfway and had a pure white napkin folded in his hands.  He sets it down on the table and begins to stand up.

Emma forces a smile and walks towards him a little.  He smiles and reaches out his right hand for a handshake " Emma? " he asks. She takes his hand quickly and gives it a quick and firm shake " Ryan? " he chuckles. She looks at him as he smiles wider " you look relieved " he shakes his head " uh, well, it is the Internet " he says coming behind her to pull out the chair for her. Like a gentleman should.  He smiles and shrugs a little " pictures can be --" he starts before Emma finished it off " fake,outdated, stolen from a Victoria's secret catalogue." she smiles.  She knew she'd catch this guy out.  His ego was unbelievable.

The man keeps smiling at her and Emma pushes her hair away from her face quickly.  " exactly " Ryan responds.  " so... " Emma says trying to make conversation. Ryan clasps his hands together loosely and looks at Emma who sits across the table from him.  " so....um, tell me something about yourself, Emma." he says gently.  She looks at him " oh,uh,well... " she looks at the table trying to think of something.  Something comes to mind and she shifts her gaze to look at Ryan.  Her eyes light up. " today's my birthday " she states. She keeps looking at him and nods slightly, forcing Yet another small smile making her cheeks rise. Ryan speaks " and your spending it with me?" he asks. He pushes his head forward a little " what about your friends? ' he asks.  Lacing his own fingers together ad if he was nervous but trying not to show it.

Emma rests both hands on her knees under the table making the white cloth move a little.  " kind of a loner " she says to him. His mouth drops open and he squints " and...you don't like your family?" she tilts her head to the side " no family to like " she says straight forward. He moved his head to the side " oh,come on. Everyone had a family." he smiles a little,  hos cheek bones pressing Agaisnt his skin.  Emma nods slightly " technically, yeah, " Emma looks at him keeping her hands in the same place" but not everyone knows who they are. " she slowly nods her head and looks at him closely.  As if judging him before she even needs to know him. " ready to run yet? " she asks.

He chuckles which sounds more like a scoff. " oh, not a chance " Ryan says back.  Emma smiles. He hangs his head before looking back up thinking of what to say " you, Emma, are, by far, the sexiest friendless orphan that I have ever met" she forces a smile and they both laugh at the same time. " okay...your turn " she says.  He bites his lip.  She shakes her hands in front of her amd smiles.  The light reflecting on her eyes making them sparkle as she looks at him. " no,wait. Let me guess " she says still smiling. Her perfect pink lips forming the perfect shape around her mouth.  she looks down pretending to be a little shy " um, you are handsome,  charming...." she says looking into his eyes once more. He raised his eyebrows and smiles " go on. " he nods. She smiles and looks at how shirt " they kind of guy who --" she starts. She places her right wrist upon the table " and now stop me if I get this wrong --"  she looks at him and her smile drops.  she looks at him seriously " embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town,  before they were able to throw your ass in jail." she raises her eyes brows.  He chuckles nervously " WHAT? " Emma carries on " amd the worst part of all of this Is your wife." she says with sympathy in her voice. The man hangs his head " your wife loves you so much.  Thst she bailed you out, and how do you repay that loyalty?..your on a date" he tightens his jaw and looks at her annoyed. He lowers his voice and speaks in a deep tone " who are you? " he asks.  Emma smiles at how defeat he was. She raises her left eyebrow " the chick who put up the rest of the money " she says. He leans back in his seat.  His hands held together again.  " your a bail bondsman. " he says. His hands unclasp nervously. She pushed her head to the side quickly and then back to its original position " a bail bondsperson " she replies.

  He taps the table nervously with both hands and chuckles.  he looks down.  Emma looks at him sideways slightly. He tips the table up making everything falls towards emms making an awful clattering sound.  Emma jumps up quickly. Her knee high dress now wet. The man instantly runs past her and legs it outside. Emma sighs " really? " she asks herself after she saw the wet mark. The guy opens the door and runs out drawing a few strange looks from people near by. Whilst the song the black keys play in the background.

He runs sideways across the four way road and dodges inbetween cars. Horns begin honking and tires screech.  Emma walks across the road quickly.  unafraid of the cars that race her way. Her high heels clicking along the road.  the guy keeps running and presses the open button on his car keys making the car alarm chirp. Meanwhile Emma keeps walking towards his.  He revved his engine trying to escape. Her black high heels move slightly faster along the road now only a few meters away from Ryan. " Come on!! " his car rocks from side to side so he opens the vat door and looks at the wheels. The back left wheel had an yellow clamp on it prevent the vehicle from moving. Emma walks across the road and finally reached his car. The traffic. Flowing once again behind her. He looks at her desperately " look, you don't have to do this,  okay" he says trying to convince her and himself. " I can pay you. I've got money! " she looks at him in disbelief " no, you don't,  and if you did, you should give it to your wife, to take care of your family " she says smiling a little. He looks at her in disbelief and squints " what the hell do you know about family, huh?" he scolds. Her face drops and she looks at him seriously. She grabs the back of his jacket and and slams him forward.  he hits the steering wheel making the horn honk and Ryan grunt. She stands back up straight and looks around a little lost. She places her hands on the roof and door frame of the car " nothing " she sighs.

~ End of flashback ~

Emma smiled a little to herself "that was one of my best ones yet" she laughed and stood up, scooting out of the booth "well. Thank you for listening, I'm sure you have lots of questions but, as you see it's dark and I need to get the kid home" she smiled and went to the door. "granny will sort you out with however many rooms you need and I'll see you in the morning to talk more" she opened the door, having Henry wave the to four companions before leaving the basically empty diner with his book of takes under his arm. Emma looked back "I really am sorry for hitting you with my car" she said before flashing an apologetic smile.

The gang walked over to the stairs and all four of them sighed, looking at the short climb they'd have to do, but at least there was a bed waiting on the other side. Ryan hung his head, why couldn't transport just be updated yet. "come on, fam!" the doctor smiles bounding up the stairs.