Emma sacrificed herself FOR REGINA. I thought that was a big deal. The show didn't seem to.
Hence this mini one-shot where they talk about it.
May add more scenes if the inspiration strikes me.
Promise Me
Emma slumped through the door, dropping her coat as she shuffled to the couch. Her head throbbed. Cold rain clung to her. She wanted nothing more than to disappear.
She was the Dark One now. Evil had invaded her, violated her. Even now, it whispered in the background.
They'd said her capacity for darkness was greatest of anyone's. Would she spiral into endless evil? Was it already starting?
There was a knock at the door.
"Go away," Emma muttered.
Regina burst in, heels clicking across the hardwood. Emma didn't lift her head, sitting with her hands on her knees, face bowed. She'd just wanted to be alone. She'd poofed into the apartment before her parents could follow.
How had Regina known where to find her?
"Why the hell did you do that?" Regina said.
She was drenched, too, her leather jacket glistening. Water drained off her and pooled around her feet.
Emma didn't look up, just breathed.
"Answer me."
"I'm trying really hard not to lose my shit right now, okay?"
"I can't believe you. You fool."
"Your thankfulness is overwhelming."
"This is not a joke, Miss Swan. This is…" Regina pressed her hands to her temples. "You've ruined yourself. For me."
Silence struck as Regina's words sunk in.
"I'm the savior," Emma said. "It's my job."
"It's idiotic."
Emma looked up, brow hardening. "Excuse me?"
"I am serious. It's disturbing. You're a person, not a sacrificial lamb."
"What would you have liked me to do, Regina? Let the darkness take you? After everything you've been through?"
Regina sighed, letting her coat fall to the floor, and sat down beside Emma.
"It's not as if your life has been so easy by comparison," Regina muttered.
"Said the woman responsible for making it hard."
"Then why did you save me?"
"I don't know, okay?" Emma said. "I just did it. I didn't think about it first."
There was another pause, before Regina asked, more softly, "How do you feel?"
Emma looked down, her face hard and blank. Her shoulders, Regina noticed, were so hunched it looked painful.
"Terrified," Emma whispered.
"We're going to fix this. Your mother and father-"
"Can't handle what's going to happen when I go dark." Emma looked at up again, eyes wide. "I…I have issues, Regina. I used to be so angry at them. What if I hurt them-"
"You won't." Regina put her hand on Emma's shoulder, and the woman flinched. "I won't let you. I'll-I'll lock you up if I have to."
Emma held Regina's gaze for a long moment. "Promise me."
"I promise."