INSTINCT

"Well this is awkward"

Emma found it strange that she had the urge to kill Henry so quickly after he almost died, but she couldn't help it. She could not fathom why he would insist on making the moment more awkward than it already was by saying 'well this is awkward'.

She glared down at him. He had a half smiling, half apologetic expression plastered across his face.

Emma was almost grateful for the sudden loud bang that came from up the road. It was enough of a shock to break everyone's silent stares. Emma saw James instinctively grab Snow's arm. The feeling that image gave Emma was strangely un-explainable to her. His hand grabbed hold of her, so possessive like she belonged to him, like an extension of himself. It was automatic, caring, filled with love.

It was as though a feeling of warmth mixed with jealousy overcame Emma. Suddenly, she felt like an outsider, a foreign part of this unbreakable pair. She felt ugly, mutated, and wrong, like a giant impersonating their baby. She wanted to run and hide away.

'It was not supposed to be like this',

The thought echoed through her mind repeatedly. She didn't even notice when she began to mumble it out loud.

Snow turned and looked at Emma. Her face was pale and her eyes worn. She was mumbling under her breath and staring fiercely at her scratched up hands. They were shaking uncontrollably. Snow wondered how she got the scratches. She still had no idea what Emma went through today.

"James" Snow said, grabbing him from his gaze up the road and turning him to look at Emma.

He too had no idea what to do. Emma was not a baby. He couldn't hold her to calm her down. He had only been a father for five minutes. It felt like only ten minutes ago, that he had kissed her on her forehead and said goodbye. Almost retroactively, she was all grown up, a person, a women, his own flesh and blood and he had no idea what to do.

Snow couldn't help but trace her hand over her stomach. She realised she still had the instinct that her child should be there, safe and warm.

Emma had to snap out of it. She placed her hands on her hips to stop them from shaking.

"We should go see what that was" she said forcefully darting back and forth between Snow and James's gaze. She did not want to stare at one of them for too long.

"Um" started James "yeah…that sounds like a good idea". He realised suddenly he should be taking charge.

"I don't know about you guys" said Grumpy "but I wouldn't call going towards the loud noises a Good idea".

"It's going to be anarchy" said James as he turned to face Grumpy "people are angry, confused, there is no hiding from this"

"Regina" said Emma startling the group. They all turned to face her. Her stare narrowed as she looked up the road towards the Mayors House. "That's where they'll be"

"Who?" asked Henry

"Everyone" responded Red, "I can't say I blame them"

Emma looked down at Henry. His head was low and his body fidgety. She could tell something was wrong. Emma was sure Henry was hers now, but she still recalled a conversation she had with Archie. Regina had raised Henry since he was a baby and as much as she hated the fact, it was nonetheless true. Henry would never admit to it, but he was concerned.

"If its Regina they want" started Red

"Ruby" said Emma interrupting Red. Emma nodded towards Henry's direction and Red understood. This was not the sort of thing to be discussing in front of him, even if Regina is the Evil Queen.

"I have to get some of my stuff…anyways, right?" said Henry curiously. He was suddenly confused as to where he belonged. He had his real family standing in front of him but the details were far from being discussed. Secretly he had also hoped that by going to Regina's house they might somehow calm down the mob that was surely forming. Henry was still very aware of whom Regina was but he couldn't quite shake the feeling of guilt he had at the thought of someone seriously hurting her. He was afraid to tell Emma this. He didn't want to lose the family he had found. He decided he would remain silent.

"Well…we have to face her" said Snow. There was a hint of deep hurt in her voice that Emma was made very aware of. Specifically in the way Snow said 'her'. Emma suddenly realised that Regina was Snow's step-mother. Emma found herself mumbling under her breath again as she tried to make sense of the information.

"Step mother, adopted mother, step-grandmother, step-great grandma….." Emma stopped, realising everyone was staring at her.

"You know what…I think I need a drink first. Henry, stay here I'll be right back" Emma hurried off towards the diner. She needed a moment to herself so she could catch her breath. The echoing of loud noises could still be heard coming from up the road. Emma headed behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of water. Through the window she could see the group in heavy discussion. Jiminy was on his knees in front of Henry looking very serious and apologetic. Granny and Red seemed to be arguing with the dwarves. It was the sight of her parents that caused her pain. They were in a solemn embrace, not even speaking. Emma felt guilty and angry. She hated conflicting feelings.

Before she knew it the water bottle was thrown clean across the room, knocking over a chair. She placed her hands firmly on the counter trying to catch her breath.

'Get it together Emma' she thought

"You can do this" she mumbled under her breath

"You will do more than you know"

Emma turned, startled, towards the direction of a cold, arrogant voice.

"You" said Emma recognising the man standing in front of her holding a gun. Before she could respond any further a sharp pain in the back of her head came out of nowhere. She fell to the ground, passing out to the sound of loud footsteps right next to her face.