Pain, Pain, Go Away
It took Emma not a second to realize where she was. She turned in a circle and spotted the toll bridge. Bingo. She took off running.
"Hey, wait up!" Neal called from behind.
Emma didn't answer, didn't slow her pace. No time. She ran quickly, forcing her body to move faster than it ever has. She took a shortcut that would lead to the heart of town. When Gold's was in sight, she saw Ruby running down the block.
"Ruby!"
The waitress stopped. She caught up with Emma. "I turned around for a minute and he was gone."
That was all Emma needed. She hurried the half a block to Gold's with Neal close behind. She ran through the door, not caring about the danger that may lie ahead.
Emma darted to the back room to find Gold standing over Regina, a large dagger in his hand and his wound gone. Regina was holding her mother who was… dead? Could that be true? Emma wasn't sure. Then she looked to Snow and David. Her mother looked mortified. Heart broken. Scared.
"You," Regina growled.
She looked furious, her vicious stare on Snow. Then she raised her hand, a fireball growing in her palm. Emma's eyes widend.
"Mom!"
Everyone turned to Henry's voice. Thudding footsteps were rushing towards them. While holding her mother tight, Regina vanished, the fireball dissipating to a puff of smoke.
"Mom," Henry said in relief while rushing towards Emma and throwing his arms around her middle.
Emma released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She hugged her son tight and put a kiss to the top of his head. "You were supposed to stay with Ruby," she argued weakly, her voice just above a whisper.
"I know, I'm sorry."
Emma nodded in understanding and said, "you've gotta stop sneaking off, kid. You're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days."
"I have to go," Snow said out of nowhere before rushing from the room.
"Mar-"
"I wouldn't," Gold interrupted David. "She won't be the same, not after today," he warned.
David wanted to argue. But he couldn't… because he knew it to be true.
"What happened?" Neal asked.
"She killed Cora," David muttered.
"Cora's pure evil," Emma started. "It came down to them or us…she did what she had to do."
David shook his head. "Snow White is pure good… now she won't see herself as that anymore."
"She's a hero. She saved us."
"I'm afraid that isn't really the case, Henry. At least, not in her eyes… I need a walk. I'll meet you at the apartment."
Emma nodded.
"Can we go home?" Henry asked.
"Yeah."
"There a place I can crash around here?" Neal asked.
"I do have a house, Baelfire," Gold said gently.
Neal nodded a bit. "I do better solo."
"Down the road, Granny's Bed & Breakfast."
"Thanks. I'll catch up with you guys later," Neal said, his eyes on Henry and Emma, before leaving.
Emma looked up in time to find a fleeting frown cross Gold's face.
XOX
On the walk back the apartment, Henry didn't let go of Emma's hand, not for a second. She couldn't help a smile.
"This mean you don't hate me anymore?"
"I never hated you," Henry argued.
"You were pretty mad."
Henry nodded. "I never thought you would lie to me," he murmured, his stare on the sidewalk.
Emma sighed. "I did a crappy thing, Henry… I'm sorry I kept your father from you, I shouldn't have-"
"I know," Henry interrupted. "I'm just… glad you're okay."
A small smile took Emma's face. "You were worried about me, huh?"
Henry nodded.
"That sparked your forgiveness?"
"I don't want to lose my mom like Regina did… like I lost her."
Emma stopped. She met Henry's eyes and said, "you will never lose me," her voice firm.
Henry held his pinky out. With a broad smile, Emma hooked her finger around his smaller one, sealing deals the way they always did.
"Pinky swear."
"Pinky swear," Emma agreed.
With that, Henry began walking, but Emma stopped him.
"If I can, Henry, I'll bring Regina back."
"She's evil," the boy argued. "She tried to kill you all… she tried to be good, but she can't," he said, his voice sad.
"I'll do what I can," Emma promised firmly.
"Okay," Henry murmured.
EmEmma took his hand, and together they went home.
TBC
PART TWO, COMING UP SOON- Snow White is lost, confused, scared and depressed. David can't seem to get through to her. Nothing he says or does helps… but there's someone else who might be able to make things better.
Review before you go? Please and thanks!
P.S, New Chapter for RTH is almost finished! Also, look out for the conclusion to W&D along with another installment of SM!
Thanks for reading, loves!
