I intended on this being an "addition" to my other fic "The Peace Offering" but the more I read through the first chapter the more it felt like it needed to be its own story. As a fan of the show you should still get a sense of what is going on if you are all caught up. It wouldn't hurt to go back and read my other fic as an intro (if you have not done so) because they pair nicely. It's the same sort of storytelling.

Chapter 1

When Gold walked out of the apartment he left behind a rather quiet room. No one said anything for a few minutes they just stood together trying to take in his threats and the request for Emma to accompany him out of Storybrooke.

Henry still clung to Emma like his little life depended on it while Snow and James stared at the back of Emma's head trying to think of something to say to her.

It was Emma herself who finally broke the silence. She turned around and said to no one in particular, "I guess I should go upstairs and pack." She ruffled Henry's hair before she made her way upstairs.

Maybe it was because everyone was tired from the chaotic night they had just experienced, what with Gold battling Hook, Belle losing her fairytale memory, and a stranger coming in to Storybrooke. The fact remained that everyone in the apartment was slow to react to Emma's departure from the room.

After Emma had already gone upstairs something in James finally snaps and he turns to Snow, "Should we talk her out of this? I don't think she should go."

Snow looks in the direction of the loft and quietly says, "Let me talk to her."

"I'm coming too!" Henry says but James pulls him to a stop.

"No buddy. You stay here with me. I don't think she needs us all rushing in there after what just happened." He nods at Snow who is already standing on the stairs.

She makes her way up. The door is wide open and she finds Emma laying on the bed. "This... is packing?"

"I'm tired. It's been a long night... day..." She shakes her head in confusion, "Whatever." She says sounding a bit grumpy.

Snow goes to the bed and sits to look down at Emma. "You don't have to do this."

"You know Gold... and I owe him a favor. He's cashing in. Were you not there when he just threatened my whole family? He's got a lot of anger. I'm not willing to risk any of you over a deal that I made." Emma meets eyes with Snow.

Snow searches those eyes and only sees how tired and somewhat defeated Emma is. "I understand." She says as she runs a hand over Emma's forehead trying to console her but Emma grabs Snow's hand and moves it so that it's pressed up against her cheek.

Snow smiles but does not attempt to move her hand away. She watches Emma shut her eyes. "Emma? I can't help but notice... this isn't the first time you've done this."

Emma's eyes pop open at this statement, "Done what?"

"Kept my hand pressed up to your cheek this way." Snow smiles moving her hand to Emma's shoulder as if she's trying to maintain a lifeline of some sort.

"... and you think it means something?" Emma asks with a sleepy smile.

"Does it?"

Emma sighs but begins to explain while trying to keep her eyes open. "When the curse broke and Henry and I found you and James... that was the moment when I first saw you as my parents and it was the first time you saw me as your daughter." She pauses before she props herself up a bit on her elbows to speak clearer. "I know at the time I was mostly bitter and angry about... well about a lot... but the first thing you did when you saw me was hold my face in your hands and I guess I couldn't help but think something from that moment was missing." Emma says waiting for a response from Snow.

"What?" Snow asks clearly curious.

"The warmth. You were wearing gloves so I couldn't feel it." Emma says simply with a shrug as she shuts her eyes for a moment.

Snow can feel her eyes burning with some unshed tears but she tries to hold them in. She knows that Emma is tired and begins to make a suggestion. "You can pack later Emma. Gold said he would see you at noon which gives you some time to rest. I'll wake you... in a couple of hours?"

Emma nods her head and starts to lay back down. "Thanks" she whispers which is all she can manage to do as she is clearly worn out.

Snow does not get off the bed right away but watches Emma as she settles in. She can't help but reach out and put her hand to Emma's cheek. She watches as a small smile spreads over her daughter's face and her eyes shut. She sucks in a breath trying not to let herself cry because of this tender moment unfolding before her. She whispers "Rest now", and runs a thumb over Emma's cheek before getting up to leave the room.

Snow makes her way downstairs and James cannot help but be concerned by her now teary eyes, "Is everything okay? Did you talk her out of it?"

"No. We didn't talk much really. She's pretty tired. I told her I would wake her in a few hours so she can pack. She needs to rest."

"Then what's with this... sudden sadness in your eyes?" He asks with a trace of a smile as he pulls Snow into his arms.

"Our daughter has such a subtle way of tugging at my heartstrings." She says resting her head on his shoulder returning his embrace as they stand in the kitchen.

"How is that?" James asks pulling away slightly attempting to gain some eye contact.

"How? I'm not sure... maybe it's that magic within her." She says with a chuckle.

James laughs as he rubs her back comfortingly and placing a quick kiss to her head. Snow doesn't want to break away from his embrace so she mumbles her question against his shoulder, "Where's Henry?"

"Well, after a few minutes of him arguing with me about trying to convince Emma to take him along since he is the only other person who can leave town... I did the logical thing and sent him to bed." He laughs. "Shall we retire to the couch?"

"That sounds nice but I think I should set an alarm so I am sure to wake Emma in time to get ready to go."

"I still say we convince her not to leave."

"James... she's our daughter. You know she's only going to do what is right and if she thinks the right thing is leaving without a fight then that is what she will do. If for some reason she does change her mind when I wake her we'll discuss it but for now let's just give her some time to rest."

James only nods in concession as they make their way to the small couch. James sits down pulling Snow to sit beside him. She rests her head on his shoulder and they take a much needed nap.

I need time to mull over the next chapter. I've got a couple of ideas but I'd like to see what sort of response this chapter gets because I suddenly feel insecure about breaking away from my last story :) Thanks for the reads.