I wanted to clarify something to all my readers. As you all know, Helga-Ingrid's sister from the Frozen arc-is Emma's biological mother. I've always referred to Emma's bio dad as "Ed" but the OUAT character I had of him in my head, was Hades. So, do with that what you will.

Trigger warning: This chapter discusses past molestation and child abuse. Read at your own risk.

Chapter Two: Nothing

Emma settled a quilt onto the edge of Regina's bed. "There we go," she said. "All done."

"I can't thank you enough for helping me out," Regina told her as they walked back into the kitchen.

"What are former roommates for?"

"You know I'd let you move in here, but there's only one room."

Emma shook her head. "It's fine. I'm not sure that I'm ready to move out of my parents' place for good yet. Is it weird?"

"Considering your parents are David and Mary, no. If they were Cora, well then…"

Regina made a face and Emma gave her a sympathetic smile. She had the unfortunate circumstance of meeting the older Mills woman. She reminded Emma of some of her old foster parents. Cold, a smile that never met her eyes and someone who constantly tore her daughter down. It was no wonder why Regina had chosen to take an internship in a town she knew little about and only knew a handful of people in. She needed to make sure she was permanently away from Cora and Emma was glad to be that escape. Ruby and Lily had become good friends with her as well, taking her under their wing just as they had Emma all those years ago.

"Has she tried calling you since graduation?" Emma sked while Regina poured out some wine.

She shook her head. "No, thank goodness." She handed Emma her glass. "So…today's the day, huh?"

Emma ran her finger over the rim, frowning. "Yeah."

"You know you don't have to do it. You said when he got back from Gideon's today, he seemingly forgot about it."

"That doesn't mean the questions will stop. They're put on hold for now. Besides, Ed is part of the reason he's here, he has a right to know."

"Are your parents going to be there at least?"

"Yeah, I thought they should be."

Emma didn't add she wasn't sure how she'd get through it without them. On the one hand, she hated talking about it all, period, but especially in front of them. She knew they felt awful for all they had been through even though it wasn't their fault. The look they got on their faces when reminded of it, broke her heart. She wished she could erase their guilt or make them feel better in some way, but also knew how impossible that was. If God forbid anything like that happened to Neal, she'd never be able to erase the guilt.

"How many people know, anyway?"

"Not too many," Emma sipped her wine. "There's my parents, Baelfire, my therapist, Ruby and Lily. Plus, you and Elsa."

Emma hadn't intended on telling her new roommates about her past. They knew she was adopted, but that was the extent of it. That was until she ended up having a terrible nightmare one night when they all fell asleep in the common area. She broke down in tears, telling them everything. She thought they would think differently of her, but instead it brought them all closer. They were there for her, a source of comfort whenever she was reminded of those horrible events.

"Are you scared he's going to tell people? I mean, I don't think he'd do it in a malicious way," Regina clarified. "But he is only 8."

Emma shook her head. "No. I think he'll understand it's just not something people need to know about. I think that's what he learned from Gideon finding out about Bae's biological mom."

"I swear, between you two and Lily's dad, what is it with shitty bio parents in this town?"

"I guess there's something in the water." She gave her a small smile. "It's good to have someone who gets it."

"Cora was never as bad as Ed and Helga."

"Maybe not, but still. You get it, so does Bae. I think it's why I've been the closest to the two of you."

"I can't wait to meet him, maybe knock him around some."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Regina."

Regina raised an eyebrow. "Emma. He made you cry."

"He chased his dreams. I was just upset that what we had was over. He's still my best friend, he'll always be my best friend."

"A best friend you still love."

Emma took a quick sip of her wine so her friend couldn't see her face. "You need to tell me more about that guy you met at the mixer at your work. What was his name? Sparrow?"

Regina rolled her eyes at Emma's not-so-subtle way of changing the subject. "Robin," she corrected.

Emma spent the time listening all about Regina's latest crush. She had no doubt that the two would end up together. He had a kid, but that didn't seem to be too big a deterrent. Emma was really glad to have Regina. They were a lot alike and sometimes that was just what she needed. She was going to miss Elsa and felt fortunate that her other roommate had chosen to move to her sleepy little town.

Eventually, Regina had to head to work, so Emma headed home. She sat in her bug for a bit once she pulled in the driveway. She shut her eyes, doing the breathing that Archie had once taught her to do, centering. She was 22-years-old, she had two loving parents, a family. She wasn't going to go through that pain ever again. It was in the past, behind her.

She put her key into the lock and opened the door. She could hear her parents and brother watching a movie in the living room. Heading in, Emma saw the three of them cuddled up on the couch, "Despicable Me" up on the screen. It was one of her brother's favorite movies, he loved the little minions. She had come just in time for the ending where Gru and the girls (plus the minions) become a real family. As the credits began to roll, Neal looked up and smiled at her.

"Hey Emmy," he said. "Where have you been?"

"Hey kid," she walked over, ruffling his hair. "I was at Regina's helping her unpack."

"It's so cool that she's going to live here."

"I agree."

Emma looked from one parent to another. They gave her a reassuring smile before David turned off the television. The two moved to the loveseat. They wanted to give Emma space to tell the story, but also wanted to be close by if she needed them. Emma lowered herself next to Neal, rubbing his back.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," she said.

Neal raised an eyebrow. "I didn't do it."

Emma couldn't help but laugh. "Did you do something?"

"No. It just seemed like the right answer."

She rolled her eyes, poking him in the stomach. "You're not in trouble, kid. I promise." She drew a deep breath. "Before we get started, who's our dad?"

Neal looked even more confused but pointed over to David, which made him smile. "Him."

"That's right. Even though we don't have the same blood as him, he's our daddy." She couldn't help but smile a little at that. For so long she hadn't had a proper father. Then in a matter of moments, she got an amazing one. She wouldn't trade David for the world. "You have to remember that."

"I do."

"Good. It's just…remember the other day how you were asking me about why I ended up in the system?" Neal nodded. "Well, I didn't tell you, because I wasn't sure if you were ready to know. I…I didn't have a great childhood, Neal. I had to grow up pretty fast. I didn't want that for you."

"I'm not a baby anymore," Neal replied, matter-of-factly.

Emma's soft smile returned as she took in his features. Sometimes it seemed like just yesterday when Helen had showed up at their door with the tiny baby in her arms. He had only smiled for her in those first few moments. She remembered how easily he fit in her arms the first time she held him, the speech she gave him that night when she snuck into his nursery. She had vowed from that moment to protect him from the world and she had done a good job. Now, there sat an 8-year-old. The same age she had been when Ed finally had his parental rights stripped away.

"I know," she told him. "Which is why I'm ready to talk with you about it."

Mary watched as Emma's face shifted. She could never describe the look her daughter got when she talked about what happened to her. It wasn't exactly pain, but it wasn't anger either. It was unique, special. Even so, it broke her heart each and every time she saw it. David took hold of her hand. They wished more than anything they could just sweep Emma into a hug right then and there, but they couldn't. Not yet.

"I'm sure Mom and Dad talked to you about good touch and bad touch," Emma decided to start the conversation out in that way.

"Yeah. No one should ever touch you in certain places, they're private. And if anyone does, you kick, scream and do whatever, then try to find a trusted grown up."

"That's exactly right," she replied. She was glad with how her parents had handled that conversation, it was one she didn't get until it was far too late. "But, I didn't know that. At least not for a while. So…our…well…Ed, he touched me in places that were private. He had friends that would do it too."

Neal was quiet for a moment and to Emma, it felt as if the room's air was thick. She already had her mind spinning as she tried to not think about the terrible times she had been touched in such a way. She tried to focus on Neal's eyes instead, in an attempt to figure out what he was thinking.

"Why?" He finally asked. The question was so simple and he meant no harm behind it, but it cut Emma like a knife.

"I…I don't know why," she said, honestly, biting her lip. "I think they were just very, very sick. They wanted to hurt me and they knew I couldn't fight back."

"Because you were little?"

Emma nodded. "He was…well, at the time he was my dad. All I knew was that. He wouldn't just do that, him and my biological mom would hit me."

"How long?"

"For as long as I could remember."

David could see the tears building up in Emma's eyes. She wasn't going to be able to keep it in for much longer and he knew it. He went to stand up, but Mary took his hand. She had the same impulse that he did, but also knew that Emma had to do this on her own.

"Then one day," Emma continued before her brother could ask anything else. "The cops came. They arrested Ed and Helga, took them away. They brought me to my first foster home and years later, I got placed with our parents. They became my forever family." A single tear trickled down Emma's face, but she wiped it quickly, so fast that her brother missed it but her parents didn't. She could feel her chest tightening up.

Neal had this look of pain on his face. He wasn't upset with Emma, but he was with Ed. He didn't understand why someone would do that. He knew that adults did horrible things, he just didn't think they had happened to his older sister. Now, why she never told him was starting to make sense. He could tell that she was upset, she looked like she was going to cry. He never saw Emma cry, ever, and he didn't like it. He did what his parents did when he got upset and wrapped his arms around her torso.

"It's okay, Em," he said, sounding more grown up than he actually was. "He can't hurt you anymore."

Emma sucked back a deep breath, those words alone made her want to break down, but she managed to keep it together as she continued to cuddle him closer to her. Eventually, it was just too much. She kissed the top of his head and stood up. Her parents followed suit, but she held up her hand.

"Please…I need to be alone."

She ran out of the room and out the door to the porch. She slid down onto the steps, her breath becoming uneven. She couldn't stop the memories anymore, they were there. The numerous times she heard her door opening, his cold hands on hers. The times she had begged him to stop. That horrifying polaroid camera, the flash that came from it. All the times she was forced to hide in her closet, hoping maybe they wouldn't find her that time. All those unanswered prayers.

She could feel someone sit beside her and she didn't even need to look up to see who it was. Her father's aftershave always gave him away. He didn't try to comfort her, not yet. He knew she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts.

"It's not happening Emma, it's in the past," he whispered.

She bit down on her lip. "Daddy," she croaked out, the only word she could find.

"He can't hurt you anymore. You don't have to see him anymore."

Another memory suddenly replaced the others. It was a secret she had held within her for a couple of years. One she was unsure of if she was ever going to tell her parents. She realized, maybe it was time.

"I…I did see him," she said, finally looking up into his blue eyes.

Confusion crossed over David's face. "What? How? He's in prison."

"A couple of years ago…when I told you that I was going with Lily and Ruby to Boston. Well, I went there, without them. I went to see him."

She could remember it as well as if it was yesterday.

2 Years Ago

Emma shifted from one foot to another as she was patted down. A part of her wanted to run. Her bug was in the lot, waiting for her. She could go straight home and just forget it ever happened. She wasn't even sure why she was doing it for a moment. She hadn't seen Ed since the day she was removed from their house.

She was doing better, she had a family. She just had to see him. She felt as though there were things she had to say.

The guard explained how the visit would go. He'd be behind some glass and they'd talk through a phone. The conversation would be monitored. She couldn't bring him any presents, not that she had. She hadn't even informed him of the visit.

Finally, she was lead to where a few other people sat, men in jumpsuits on the other side. Emma lowered herself into the seat she was directed to, waiting with baited breath. The door opened and a guard lead out a man she hadn't seen in 15 years.

He looked the same, yet different at the same time. His blonde hair was greying and he had gained wrinkles over the years. Clearly, he had access to a razor, because his stubble was minimal. His eyes were the same, though. Those same piercing blue eyes that she felt looked right into her. He saw her and did a double take. He whispered something with the guard who nodded. A sly smile went across his face, making her feel ill. He settled into his seat, picking up his phone, Emma doing the same.

"Emma, Emma, Emma," his voice came through the phone crystal clear and it took all she had not to shudder.

"Ed," was all she said in return.

"It's Ed now? What happened to daddy?" He mocked her.

"You were never supposed to be that," she replied, trying to stay firm.

"It's been a long time."

"15 years."

"Do we not have a no contact order?"

"It expired when I turned 18 and since you were in here, the courts wouldn't renew it."

Mary and David had fought so hard, but in the end, there wasn't much the judge could do. Ed hadn't reached out to her at all since she was 8 years old, he had played everything by the book. The best they could do was make sure that he had one with Neal, who was still a minor.

"Shame," Ed replied. "So, what brings you here? Is Neal with you?"

"No," Emma told him, her jaw locking. "You will never lay eyes on him."

"I don't know about that."

"Well, I do."

"What are you going to do? Last I remember, you weren't too good at defending people."

"I was a little kid," Emma bit back, finding herself losing her fear. "I'm not that same little girl anymore. I'm all grown up and I will protect him from you. Plus, you're in here for a really long time."

Ed just rolled his eyes. "If you came here to threaten me, I'm not interested."

"I didn't want to threaten you. For the past 7 years, I've been trying to get over what you did to me," she told him. "For so long, I thought it was my fault, that I did something wrong. Now, I know it wasn't. A few years ago I went and visited Helga's grave. It gave me some closure, but I think I need more."

"And you think I can help?"

"Why did you do it?"

"Do it?"

"You know what I'm talking about."

He looked her up and down, causing her to protectively cover herself. He just shook his head.

"I was just a little girl," she continued. "I depended on you to take care of me, I didn't have a choice. And you…you…" She bit down on her lip until she could taste the blood.

"I disciplined you."

"Do not make this out like I was an out of control child," Emma said, her eyes fixing on him. "This wasn't on me."

"You were there," he replied with a shrug.

"Why did she have me? She clearly didn't want me."

"I don't know," Ed told her, honestly. "I told her to get an abortion, but she refused. Said a baby would make things better. Then you came and I don't know what changed."

"Why'd you stick around?"

Another shrug fell across his shoulders. "She was a good partner, when it came to selling the stuff. As you got older, she turned an eye. Why rock the boat?"

That sick feeling returned to her stomach. He was so blasé about it all. While she had no respect for Ingrid, at least she seemed sorry for her role in things. He had zero remorse, he didn't care how terribly he had treated her. She wouldn't have accepted any groveling, but she wasn't sure which was worse. Having done it and feeling bad after the fact or feeling absolutely nothing for the pain he had inflicted upon her.

"How could you do this?" She asked him, her voice breaking a bit. "I was your daughter! You were supposed to protect me. That's what a real father does."

"What would you know about that?"

"Because I have one now. He is an amazing man, one who would never do what you did. In fact, he's disgusted by it. He loves me. He's overprotective, but amazing. He taught me what a real father is! It took me 13 years to get him, but I know now. You were never a dad."

Ed adjusted the phone. "This is helping you somehow? Yelling me about how shitty I was?"

"How can you feel nothing?" Emma practically pleaded. "How are you not sorry?"

"You expected me to be sorry? You are aware for why I got sent away a second time, aren't you?"

Emma was. He hadn't learned his lesson and had gone onto hurt even more people. She shifted in her seat, smoothing down her jeans.

"You're sick," she informed him.

"So they say."

Emma shook her head. "I was starting to think coming here was a mistake, but I was wrong. It wasn't."

"And how is that?"

"Because I'm free."

"Excuse me?"

"Not only do I get to leave here and do whatever I want, walk on fresh cut grass, drive around, do what I want...but I'm free in another way."

"You're losing me."

"I'm free of you, Ed," Emma said. She locked her eyes with his. "I'm free of you. You can't hurt me ever again. You get to sit in your cell, make license plates, whatever. You will never lay a hand on me again. I am free of you and your abuse. You broke me a long time ago, but I'm not broken anymore."

"So, walk out of here. Go back to be nothing, Emma, because that is all you will ever be."

The words escaped her mouth before she even had time to think, almost as if they were a reflex. Years ago, she would've just ran out of there with her tail between her legs, thinking that his words were true, but they weren't.

"I am not nothing!" Emma shouted at him, finally snapping. She could see his face change. As a child, she never stood up to him. Outside the rare tantrum, she never lost her tantrum. "I was never nothing!"

Her hands clenched the small space in front of her, as she continued to lock eyes with his.

"You don't have power over me anymore. We're done."

Growing up, Ed always had the final word. Even back on the day that she was removed from his home, the words that he had said to her rang through her mind.

"You will be mine again!"

This time, she was the one who got the final word. She hung up the phone and walked out of there. She barely even signed out before she was lead back to the lot where her car was parked. It didn't take long for her to double over, throwing up. Once she had finished, she leaned against her bug, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off her chest.

Back In The Present

David put a hand on Emma's arm and she leaned into him. He wrapped her into a tight hug, kissing the top of her head. A part of him was upset that she never told them about all that, but a bigger part was filled with pride. For so long, Emma had been broken. She had felt as though she was nothing. Then she found the strength to stand up to the man that had done all that damage. He would never not want to go to that prison himself so he could beat the shit out of him, but he recognized how important all that was for Emma to do.

"I am so proud of you," he whispered.

Emma sniffled, meeting his eyes again. "You're not mad?"

"I'm not happy that you never told your mom and I, however, I can't imagine how hard all that was for you," he pushed the curls out of her face. "Em, you were so brave."

She shook her head. "I don't know about that."

"I do. Princess, I have watched you grow into this amazing young woman. One, I could not be prouder of. You were right with what you told him, you have never been nothing. I'm just glad that you see that."

"I never could've done it without you," Emma said. "I know it was up to me to love myself, but if it wasn't for you and Mom, I wouldn't have known how."

"You've always been strong." David kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Daddy."

Back inside, Mary sat beside Neal. The two had been quiet ever since David followed Emma out the door. She wanted to be out there too, but also knew someone had to be there with Neal to help him through his own feelings on the subject.

"Is Emma upset at me?" His quiet voice came, finally.

"Oh Nee, no," Snow placed a hand on his cheek. "You didn't make her sad."

"But she ran out of here crying."

"Because this is hard for her to talk about."

"Oh." His frown increased. "I'm the one that made her talk about it."

"No, she chose to tell you. She wanted you to know."

"I can't believe Ed did that."

"I know, honey."

"I hate him."

Mary was silent for a moment as she moved closer to him. She definitely did more than just hate Ed, but she wasn't about to say that. It wasn't going to be helpful in the situation.

"I do too," she said.

He looked up at Mary with his big blue eyes. "Why do people do things like this, Mommy?"

"Oh my baby." She let out a long sigh, pulling her into his arms. "Sometimes, there are just very sick people in this world. There's no rhyme or reason, but they just hurt people."

"He never hurt me."

"That's right and he never will."

"But he hurt Emma. That's not fair."

Mary's breath caught. "No, it's not. I wish more than anything that Daddy and I could've saved her. Now, there's not much we can do, except let Emma know just how much we love her."

Neal nodded and didn't say anything again at first. "Thank you, Mommy."

"For what?"

"Being Emmy's family, and mine."

Mary felt tears gather in her eyes. She cuddled him even closer, kissing his temple.

"I wouldn't change a thing. I love my babies so very much."

They heard the door open and Neal pulled away from her. She followed him through to the entry way where David and Emma stood. The latter had clearly been crying, but all tears had long since dried up. Neal latched his arms around Emma's legs and she returned the hug.

"I love you, Emmy," he whispered.

"I love you too, kid, more than you'll ever know." She kissed his head and then gave him a small smile. "I've had quite the day. Think we could just watch a movie?"

Neal nodded. "Lilo and Stitch."

"Sounds good."

Emma held onto his hand as they walked into the living room. Mary looked over at David, concern on her face.

"She's okay," he promised. "She's more than okay."

He explained what Emma told him and he could see his wife's face go on an emotional roller coaster. When he finished the story, she let out a long breath.

"My God, we have such a brave girl."

"That's what I said. How's Neal?"

"He said he hates Ed."

"Well…that's a pretty standard reaction."

"I know, I didn't add in my feelings on that. He's just really confused right now. I don't think he understands how he got lucky and got placed with us right away, while Emma went through so much."

David sighed, pulling her into his arms. "We have a sweet boy."

"That we do."

"All in all, I think it went better than expected."

"That's for sure."

David rested his forehead against Mary's. She could see the stress outlined on his face and was sure she had the same.

"She's safe," she whispered. "She'll never have to be hurt again."

"We wouldn't allow it."

"Definitely not."

Well, that chapter was really hard to write. Normally I can get these out in a day, but this took a couple because it was just tough. The next chapter is going to be a lot lighter, I promise. As always, let me know what you want to see and I hope to update soon. Until next time, friends. =)