( there's a knowing and slightly sympathetic wry smile at that. it's not something either of them haven't heard before. they heard a lot of it back home, perhaps more her than he, but that might just be because he never really had much of a chance to refuse the queen. the only thing he'd ever managed to fight her on really was giving Emma her badge as deputy. at least he knew he left the town in good hands.

what about him? well, if she's hoping for answers, he's bone dry on those. if she's asking for something a little more personal... he's not sure he knows. what he is, is complicated. he's alive again, for some reason. he's got a second chance. his weariness isn't from fighting to get home, it's from trying to put himself together again. finding out who he's supposed to be now, in this new life he's been given. trying to be better than the one he was before.

he doesn't doubt that Emma would listen if he wanted to talk, but he does doubt that's what she's asking about right now. there are more important worries than him at the moment. )

Nobody saw anything. It's like the first attack, everything was dark and then the bodies were in place. No message this time, but perhaps the placement does the talking instead.

( he again wonders if it might be Regina's handiwork, but he doesn't say it out loud. his bias as far as Regina is concerned is impossible to overcome, it's safe to say he'll always wonder if she's involved in horrible things. that said there's no hint that she was and it isn't even really her style, he just can't help himself. )