After lady in the lake

SUMMARY: Set immediately after Episode 2X03 Lady of the Lake. I felt like I needed this story for some closure. A very short, sweet, but simple moment between mother and daughter.

With the stability and safety of "Charming" castle in question Mary Margaret and Emma made camp a short distance away in the woods with Aurora and Mulan with the intent of heading to the safe haven at first light.

In the middle of the night Mary Margaret, or Snow rather, turns her head to see Emma lying on her back beside her staring up at the full moon above. It's evident that she is too worried to sleep. She reaches over and takes Emma's hand in hers.

Emma does not turn to acknowledge her but feels her touch and takes the hand offered smiling weakly as she continues to watch the sky.

Snow leans up and reaches with her other arm to clasp at Emma's forearm and lean on her elbow to get a better look at her face. Quietly she says, "I have something to say. You don't have to respond. I just want you to listen."

Emma does not protest so Snow continues in a whisper, "I love you Emma... and I'm not just saying this because you are my daughter. I mean that when you came into my life recently I loved you. I loved you before I knew, before I remembered, that you were my daughter."

Emma does not move. She only throws a quick glance out of the corner of her eye and looks back up at the moon.

"I just wanted you to know that." Snow Finishes. She starts to lay back and pull her hand out of Emma's but Emma tightens her grip. She smiles to herself before she shuts her eyes to rest.

Emma turns her head to watch Mary Margaret's face as she tries to fall asleep now. She looks down at their clasped hands and then back up at Mary Margaret once more.

She tried to fight off the smile that somehow found its way onto her face but it proved quite difficult. She smiled up at the moon before shutting her eyes. With the worries now cast away with that one sweet gesture she was able to rest.