Illusions
Rushing through the bustling village, Emma keeps a close eye on Henry and their surroundings as they go in search of Regina. Stopping short by the old tavern, the blonde looks towards her son for direction.
"This was where she ran off..she told me about you and then ran.."
Raising an eyebrow, Emma sighs while scanning the area. "Any idea of where she would have gone? The sooner we find her the sooner we can solve this and I can deal with Gold"
Scratching his head, the teen looks around himself. "Maybe back to her hiding spot? She went in that direction..she seemed really cut up over Robin..."
Biting her lip at hearing that name, Emma hides her hurt expression then gestures with her hand to go in the direction that Henry said would lead to Regina's hideout.
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Approaching the fallen tree trunk, Emma holds her hand out in front of her son to shield him then tilts her head to tell him to stay back and wait there. Moving forward towards the entrance of the bark, the blonde pokes her head in then freezes seeing the brunette packing up her sack before drawing the string and throwing it over her shoulder. Heading towards the exit, Regina stops seeing her and glares briefly before swiftly grabbing her bow from her back and aiming the arrow at Emma.
"What is going on today! Who are you?!"
Holding her hands up in defense, Emma goes to explain but finds herself at a lose for words seeing her supposed girlfriend in bandit attire while wielding a weapon. "I..sorry I..I'm not here to hurt you just Henry-"
"Henry?" Sighing, the brunette slowly drops her bow then fixes it to her back while rolling her eyes. "Of course..this is Henry..let me guess, you're his mother? I gotta say I wasn't expecting him to get you out so quickly...Snow can be brutal"
Gulping at the mention of her mother, the blonde clears her throat. "What Henry has told you is true..and I know you don't know me but I know you and we need your help to get back home..please.."
Moving past the woman, Regina chuckles. "Seriously you too? That book was..ridiculous..clearly some form of bad magic. So no, I am getting my passage out of the kingdom and away from all of this.."
"Mom please.."
Seeing the teen appear beside his blonde mother, the brunette looks annoyed. "Kid I am not your mother. She is. End of"
Watching the bandit head out into the forest, Emma takes a breath for what she is about to say. "Is this because of Robin?"
Stopping in her tracks, Regina looks over her shoulder at Henry. "You obviously cannot keep secrets and for your information..no. This is for me. I do not need a guy to make me happy"
Muttering under her breath, the blonde shuffles on her feet awkwardly. "You're telling me..."
"Escuse me?"
Looking caught, Emma laughs nervously. "Nothing..I..look if it is then, you need to sort it..go to him.."
"Ma!" Shocked at his mother's suggestion, Henry looks horrified as they should be together. "What about you and-"
Grabbing his mouth, the blonde gives him a look. "Henry come on..she wants to be happy..and you never get to be unless you try. Go to the church.."
Moving her sack, Regina places her hands on her hips intrigued. "Why are you so eager for me to do this?"
Giving a sad expression, Emma looks down. "Because..I..I just lost the one I love..and it..is so painful..I wouldn't wish anyone to feel this way. So you need to at least go and see for yourself otherwise, you will always wonder what if.."
Noticing the woman's teary gaze, the brunette bites her lip. "I..I'm sorry..that must be..terrible.."
Nodding, the blonde sighs then puts an arm around Henry's shoulder at his sad look. "Hopefully we can..fix it.."
"..with my help?"
Smiling in hope, Emma grins more when she sees Regina drop her hands off her hips and walks back up to them. The brunette looks between the pair. "So all you want is for me to stop Robin's wedding?"
Internally cringing at what she has to say, Emma nods. "He is your true love"
"Yeah...I don't believe in all that..shall we go?" The brunette begins to stroll off again gradually followed by mother and son behind her.
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Standing in front of the church, Regina purses her lips together in thought. Should she?, shouldn't she?
"Go on..we will wait here.."
Peering over at the blonde, the brunette frowns then turns towards the church door again. "What if..I'm too late? What if he chooses her?"
"Then you can say you tried and you carry on..it may sound heartbreaking but deep down you know that what is meant to be is meant to be and you will get there eventually.." Emma explains while also convincing herself at what she said. "Sometimes people surprise you.."
Realizing something, Regina raises an eyebrow. "If..what you say is true and this boy is our son..what are we?"
Dropping her mouth open speechless, the blonde looks up to see the bell begin to swing, ready to make its chime. "You need to go. Now!"
Following Emma's gaze, the brunette takes one more look at the pair then steps up towards the large wooden door before pulling on the metal ring to prise the door open slowly.
"And here I thought that was it..well dearie I guess I am just going to have to do the job myself.."
Hearing the dark one's taunt, the blonde turns around automatically shielding Henry and pulling out her sword. "This is over Gold..she will get her happy ending and everything will be as it was.."
Chuckling, the imp swings his sword around in the air. "Not if you're dead..."
Eyes widening, Henry steps back worried. "Ma!"
Having heard the commotion and Henry's cry, Regina grips the doorframe before looking back at them. Feeling conflicted, she gazes inside the church again and meets the eyes of the thief that has apparently stole her heart.
Aiming her sword, Emma blocks a swing and pushes against the dark one's sword. Watching as the imp raises the metal blade high, the blonde can do nothing more from the speed but stare in fear as the sword comes down with a blow. Closing her eyes, bracing herself for the enividable, Emma hears Henry gasp and shout.
"Mom!"
Opening her eyes in time to see Regina drop to the ground and the dark one no where to be seen, the blonde panicks and falls to her knees before the woman who has a pained expression while clutching her stomach with a bloody hand.
"Regina? What the hell did you do?! You were suppose to go in the church!" Emma looks frantic and sorrowful towards her son then jumps hearing the bells ring out sharply. Trailing her eyes up to the church doors that swing open, the blonde watches sadly as the happy couple walk down the steps and towards the path. "..Regina why..."
"Regina?!"
Rushing over to her side, Robin abandons his bride and comes to the injuried woman's side. "Regina..oh god..what.."
Seeing the interaction, Emma gets up teary to move away.
"No...Emma..."
Biting her lip to stop a tremble, the blonde looks down at the woman who has a stray tear roll down the side of her face and into her hair as she is laying down.
"I..Inwant..you're...its your eyes..I can.." Not being able to speak out much more, the brunette raises her spare shaky hand for the woman to take then clings when she feels Emma slip her hand into hers.
Moving back to her spot, the blonde lets out a small sob and sniffles as she covers Regina's hand between both of her own. "I'm sorry..this is my fault..I...I just want you happy..because..."
Barely a whisper, the brunette begins to close her eyes. "Because..its..its you..don't..don't leave me alone.."
"Never. I would never do that Regina..I..I love you.."
Letting out a small but faint smile, Regina takes a deep breath then closes her eyes as Emma begins to sob and rest her head against the woman's still chest.
A/N: I could leave it there or round it off to another chapter, or do it so she wakes but still in the forest and they have a mini adventure?