(A/N: Hi Everyone! This is my first OUAT fic, even though I've got two others in progress, and hit with writer's block. Hopefully this won't fall into those depths either. I wrote this hours after the episode aired, and wrote 2 chapters within an hour alone. Clearly I needed to get it out of my head. :-)

DISCLAIMER: . I own nothing except the expansion on the plot. Everything else belongs to ABC/The Creators of OUAT.

No copywriter infringement intended whatsoever, anything else s pure coincidence. Thanks!

SPOILER WARNING – Up Through 5-1-2016's episode: "Firebird."

I hope you all enjoy!

Please read and review! Thanks!

-The Rising Phoenix.)

Never Forgotten Soul –

Set after "Firebird," but before the next episode airing May 8th, 2016. What if there was someone even Henry couldn't save? What does Hades have hidden up his sleeve? Can Emma be the Savior once again? First OUAT fix! Please Review! Rated T simply to be safe, but is probably more along the K side.

Chapter #1 – The Return Home

One by one from the Underworld, Regina, Robin, and Henry appeared home, near the clock-tower in Storybrooke. They waited for for David, and Emma to come through the portal.

Soon, David appeared, but alone.

"Grandpa! I'm glad you're okay too." Henry said hugging him. "Where's Mom?" Henry soon asked.

"She should be right be hind me, Henry" Reassured David. He wouldn't tell Henry, but was worried when Emma didn't go with him.

A few seconds later, Emma came through the portal and appeared next to David.

She gave a small, watery smile, hugging Henry, then David. Regina too.

"Emma, I'm sorry, about Hook." Said Regina in earnest.

"Thanks." Emma said quietly, not willing her voice to catch in her throat.

"Look, it's been a long day; or who knows how long we've actually been down there." David replied. "Let's go home, rest, grab a quick bite to go from Granny's."

"Not hungry." Emma commented, flatly.

"No, you have to eat." David said.

Emma just looked at him.

Had he not understood what his daughter just went through, again, losing someone she loves, to anyone else outside of this group, Emma would have looked almost pathetic.

"I agree." Henry said, worried for his mother.

"Me too. Emma you need to eat, and rest."

"I don't want any of that. I just want Killian." She squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to cry, but worried that her armor – real or otherwise would fail her.

David took his daughter into his arms and held her tightly as she cried.

"Come on, let's go see your Mother and brother." David said softly, stroking Emma's long blonde hair.

Emma said nothing, but let David lead her towards the apartment.

Regina took Henry, saying they (Robin included) would grab food and bring it back.

David, Henry, and Regina felt bad for Robin. He was still processing how Regina can suddenly trust Zelena, Zelena and the baby, and Zelena, with the baby and Hades.

As Henry jogged ahead with Granny's in sight, Regina strolled with Robin, as she explained the more recent events that happened with Zelena and their mother Cora.

"I still have a headache…And wish for an ale."

Regina smiled a bit in amusement. "I'm sure Granny may have something on tap."

The Charming's Loft -

"Good, hope she's got a full and fresh batch." Robin half grumbled.

Snow White was drinking some iced hot cocoa, as baby Neal slept next to her on the sofa. It was early Spring, but being in the Underworld made it too hot for her liking.

Soon, David and Emma quietly walked in.

"You're back! Emma, David! How I missed you so much!" Snow said, making sure Neal was safe, before getting up to hug her husband and daughter.

Snow held Emma tight, sensing something was wrong.

"Where's – " David shook his head to cut her off.

Emma just held on tighter to Snow, took a deep breath, then stepped out of her mother's embrace, as she glanced at Neal walking by him, smiled, and walked upstairs of the loft.

Snow watched her in concern. Emma almost seemed…hollow. A shell of her former self. Her eyes darted quickly to Neal, then David. Her expression demanded an explanation.

"Hook...Didn't make it out to say the least…Hades sent Emma and Hook on a wild goose chase for Ambrosia, only for them to realize it was a trap. Cruella and The Blind Witch trapped all of us too, to try and prevent us from getting home."

"Oh No…" Snow whispered in concern, huggind David tighter.

"Emma…..She's not dealing is she?"

"Nope, not really. She'll have her bouts with crying, but they are few and far between."

Both parents took a deep sigh, as they held each other, before moving to the couch to sit by Neal.

"I may not have liked him much, but I learned to respect him. I started to see why she loved him. At the end of the day, he had a good heart. He was a good man."

"Was?" Snow replied, her authoritative tone as a bandit creeping back into her voce. "Since when does this family ever give up on Hope?"

"Well…Never. But right now I think we are all just too much at a loss of what to do next."

"It's because you've all been down there way too long."

"How long exactly?"

"Since I got back? A week."

"Oh, you must be kidding me?" David grumbled in annoyance.

"Could have been worse."

"Very true, but still."

"Any new insights Snow?"

"No., but I'm sure we will think of something, now that you're all not down there, and it's been Neal and I to think of something."

"You mean worry."

Snow gave a half serious glare.

"Hey, you were the one who worried, rightfully so, but worried too much over Regina before Emma was born. – Again, rightfully so, but I was too worried about your stress."

Snow's face changed into a wistful smile. "Yeah, I know. But now I'm more concerned about Emma."

"Me too." David said, as he held Snow in his arms, but couldn't take his eyes off the staircase where Emma had ascended minutes earlier.

"I'm supposed to protect her, right?" David suddenly commented in question. Snow thought she heard a slight catch in his voice.

"You do David, what are you talking about?"

"So why can't I protect her form heartbreak?"

Snow didn't have the answers, which they both wanted. But she squeezed his hand, and rested her head on his shoulder, as he laid his chin atop her head in silent contemplation.

(A/N: Please Review! Thanks! ~TRP~)