Chapter 2
Hurrying over to Regina but also wary, Emma steps around the Mayor before kneeling next to her so she can keep an eye on the hall. Tentatively reaching out a hand, not sure where to touch, Emma is surprised to see her magic has already surrounded Regina. Without knowing how she is doing it, Emma is watching Regina breathe easier, facial muscles relaxing. Don't worry about that, just focus on Regina. Lets get her more comfortable…a couch appears.
"Regina? Regina, can you hear me? It's Emma. You are safe, I've got you. I am going to pick you up, okay?" Receiving a half-hearted nod Emma tries to move Regina as little as possible, positioning one arm behind her knees and the other behind her shoulders then rising to one knee. Bracing herself to lift smoothly, Emma is surprised by how easy it is to pick up the Mayor, like she weighs next to nothing. Pivoting to lay her down on the couch gently, the very silent audience cannot help but notice the deep frown and clenched jaw marring the Saviors usually happy-go-lucky countenance.
"Jesus, what did they do to you? Can you talk?" No longer content with just a visual check, Emma gently but firmly starts checking the Mayors left hand and its fingers with her own hands feeling for injuries. Working her way up to wrist, forearm, upper arm then shoulder, muttering under her breath the entire time about "fucked up fairies, best interest in mind my ass, how can my parents be so fucked up, why is everyone's favorite game Lets Shit on Regina" when another hand stills hers.
"Ms. Swan, stop. I am fine." Regina insists sitting up. "Would you care to explain what exactly is going on and why we are in the lecture hall?" Confusion briefly flickers across the Mayors face before the impassive mask falls into place.
"I really don't know what happened to you or for how long but rest assured, I will find out. Henry is here as well, he is okay. In the meantime there are a few things I would like to clear up with my…with Snow and David. Here and now with everyone present." Emma looks closely into Regina's eyes, silent communication takes place for a moment then Regina nods her assent.
Emma stands up then steps back, allowing Regina a clear view of the hall.
"Snow and David, please find seats in the audience. The only people I want behind me are Regina and Henry." Gone is the softness, concern. This is 'do not fuck with me' Emma.
As Snow and David move down from the dais, Emma takes two bottles of water from the speaker podium, handing them both to Regina before vanishing the now unnecessary chairs to make room for mother and son to sit together center stage, front.
Eschewing the microphone, Emma clears her throat behind her hand, pacing across the stage before "Let us start at the beginning, shall we? If we are going to follow the rules of this land, you know a democracy, then Regina is the Mayor until…. Nope, no way I am not going to spell it out. You can read the federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, statutes, and ordinances just like I did. Then you all can figure out how to get a different Mayor. And since the Sheriff is also an elected position, I believe I will keep my job as well. You may replace me according to these rules at your leisure."
Stopping abruptly, Emma looks towards her feet, theatrically thinking.
"Unless you were planning on killing one or both of us, kidnapping and holding one or both us somewhere and/or magically incapacitating one or both of us." The glare lasered at the audience with one sweeping glance pins everyone to the backs of their chairs before an uproar of chairs scraping across the floor as people shot to their feet shouting.
Raising both arms to shoulder height, palms out Emma asks for silence. While waiting for things to quiet down, Emma turns to check on Regina and Henry. Regina, of course, is accustomed to death threats. Henry seems to be handling this rather bizarre turn of events rather well, although a closer look shows him to be holding his mother's hand tightly.
"I assume this was not the plan, then Snow? Or at least not the widely known plan? David?" With her hands clasped in front of her body, eyebrow raised, head slightly cocked to one side for either one to reply Emma waited.
"No, you know we wouldn't do any" David started to say at the same time as
"Emma, we don't do those sorts of things, honey. We are the good guys. I would never, I mean we, David and I" Snow is trying to explain through sniffles and tears.
"Yes, I have been doing some reading about the so-called 'Good Guys'. But you have not answered my question was this the plan. You see having a plan doesn't mean you do the bad parts. Was. This. The. Plan? Remember my bullshit detector, now." Standing on the stage, leaning forwards slightly, Emma towers over Snow and David in their seats.
"NO!" David exclaims "there was no plan to…to…do away with anyone. We just thought, well, it would be better for everyone if We were in charge and "
"Since we aren't evil" Snow starts in that syrupy sweet cajoling voice when
"I want to make this one thing perfectly clear is everyone listening?" Emma overrides both Snow and David "Good. Those of you who have never, ever in your life made a mistake that hurt someone physically or emotionally, never lashed out in anger or hurt, never acted before you thought, never acted without knowing all of the facts, never took advantage of someone else if you honestly NEVER did any of these things then come up here." Emma, along with everyone else is looking around the hall for someone to stand up to move towards the stage. Unsurprisingly, no one does.
"Okay, no saints here, not even me." Emma smirks. "So, who hear has seen Regina do something evil lately? Anyone? Anyone? Don't be shy, here is your chance! Lets get this all out, right now." Several minutes pass with no one speaking up.
"Okay, so that covers the 'evil' bullshit. I don't want to hear that as an excuse anymore is that clear?" Clapping her hands together, Emma resumes pacing.
"As for anyone "taking custody" of Henry besides his Mother I dare you to try." Gasps followed this pronouncement. If there were anyone foolish enough not to know that Emma was deadly serious, the snarl on her face, menace burning in her narrowed eyes as she surveys the crowd, one hand on the holstered semi-automatic pistol, the other giving off sparks was quite clear.
"Now then. If you all want to go by the old ways that is fine too." Emma started pacing yet again.
"But consider David you were are not born into royalty. We all know your twin brother was adopted by King George. Upon his death you were required to take his place, assuming the title of Prince. So what are you king of?" Enumerating the points on her fingers, Emma finishes the question with spread hands.
"Well…when you put it that way…I guess I am the crown prince of King George's kingdom," David eventually stumbled out.
"On to you, Snow. You are the princess of King Leopold and Queen Eva. Then your mother died and for lots of reasons-including quite a bit of manipulation, enforced magical cooperation, controlling abusive mother, not to mention betrayal and another death-your father married Regina. Queen Regina. Ya see where I am going here? King Leopold dies and Regina is still Queen. So, I'll ask you, Snow. What are you Queen of?"
"But I should be queen since she murdered my father! It is my family's kingdom!" protests Snow.
"Regina did not kill your father. She talked someone else into it, granted. But she was married into your family. You have got to let this go. Or do you want to talk about how you murdered her mother? Or Daniel? We could be here all night and well into tomorrow if we are going to play tit for tat. Both of you two did shitty things to the other. But to move on, there has to be some give on both sides. It seems to me that you colluded with Blue to get Regina kidnapped to announce your rise as mayor. Do you want to look over your shoulder for Regina to get you back? Then what will you do to get her? Don't you see?" pleading now, tears pooling but not overflowing yet Emma continues "You are putting me, at least, in a bad position. How am I supposed to explain to Henry any of this? What if Regina had been hurt or dead tonight? What if it were you instead?"
"I didn't think…I just wanted…oh, what have I done…" Snow crying, leaning over, her face in her hands. David reaches over to comfort his wife, looking up at Emma with a short nod then murmuring into Snows ear.
Checking over her shoulder on Regina and Henry, Emma notices that sometime during her tirade that Regina has magic-ed up her wardrobe and looks much improved overall. Henry appears relaxed but interested.
"So, hopefully this feud is…well, it's not over…but better. For everyone, not just Regina and Snow. I just have a little bit more to say…." Pacing again, Emma makes several passes across the stage.
"In an effort to keep this sort of thing from happening again and again, not that Regina cannot protect herself…" moving down stage towards Regina, Emma drops down to her knees before Regina. Surprised murmurs erupt.
"I hereby freely bind myself to thee, henceforth until eternity, claiming rights as your Champion and Protector with no expectations of benefit or reward."
Pandemonium breaks out Emma hears
"NO! no no no, Emma you don't know what you are doing!" Clearly from Snow
People gasping, shouting, chairs scraping against the floor, moving towards the stage mixed with general cries of despair wailing for plight of their Savior.
Meanwhile, Emma is glowing. Softly at first then growing in intensity as she continues with the vow until eyes are slit against the brightness. Her clothing is changing as well, turning into armor. Gleaming silver armor with a black cape edged in blood red, a sword resting across one shoulder, the holstered semi-automatic pistol remaining on her hip, sheriff star winking gold.
As the last words of the vow are uttered, a multicolored ring expands from Emma, followed by a second one. The waves of color are soundless but they each impact as well as go through everyone and everything as they pass. All is suddenly, deeply quiet and still.
Regina stands, placing one hand on each of Emma's shoulders. "Do you know what you just did Ms. Swan?" A soft yet resounding query.
"Yes, My Queen. I have bound myself to you, to serve forever as Your Champion and Protector. With both my abilities and my magic I felt uniquely qualified to do so. Of course, this service extends to Prince Henry as well." Comes the reply.
"I am not sure you are fully aware, though Knight. Did you notice the two separate rings?" Regina asks, moving one hand to Emma's chin, gently lifting until their eyes meet. "You do remember that magic is emotion, do you not?"
"Yes, My Queen. I remember our lessons well. But I do not understand about two rings, there was no curse to break. Was there?"
"Then you know that your light magic in some ways is more powerful than what I used to practice. I believe, judging from the stunned looks, that your feelings of protection for me have touched everyone in Storybrooke as well as the profound truth of your words. Thus, two separate rings."
"I did not intend to do so, My Queen. But if, as a result of my vow the people of this…this Your kingdom will stop plotting against you, I am pleased."
"Arise, White Knight and know that servitude from you will not be required. You shall always be my equal." Regina steps back, allowing Emma room to rise to her feet.
As Emma moves to stand, the armor melts…transforming into her red leather jacket over a black tank top, skinny jeans and boots.