Regina was placed in the room adjacent David's at Storybrooke's hospital. Hospital staff initially balked at treating her, but the look on Emma's face made clear there would be no forgiveness for anyone not doing everything they could to save Regina's life.

Snow and Henry were sitting vigil at David's bedside. Emma barged in, covered from head to toe in blood, both David's and Regina's, and dirt, after she had finally been forced out of the trauma room. She had stubbornly refused medical treatment, insisting everyone focus on Regina. Regina's injuries were manifold, from benign abrasions and contusions, to the more serious, like the large gash on the back of her head near the base of her skull, a compound fracture on her left forearm, to the severe contusions on her side, most likely several broke ribs.

After plunging the sword into Rumpelstiltskin's chest, Emma raced toward Regina, who lied crumpled at the base of the boulder she was thrown against. Blood spilled from her mouth and nose, her breathing labored.

"The sword, Miss Swan," Regina sputtered, "Please retrieve your father's sword."

"Regina, don't worry about that," Emma frantically responded, while assessing the extent of Regina's injuries. "We need to get you to the hospital!"

"Emma, please, just get the sword," Regina begged. She didn't know how much longer she could fight back the encroaching edge of darkness, the tug to close her eyes and sleep. She needed Emma to act quickly, to help finish Rumpelstiltskin for good.

Emma looked at Regina askance, but did as she requested. Emma looked back at Regina nearly the entire time, as she stumbled toward Rumpelstiltskin's lifeless body, turning away from Regina only to reach for the hilt of the sword. She made haste to return to Regina's side, laying the sword parallel to Regina.

Pain permeated nearly every corner of Regina's body, slowing her thought process. She focused on her love for Henry, her desire to ensure his future, pushing aside the pull of slumber. Her time to rest would soon be upon her.

"Help me sit up," Regina implored, bracing herself for the pain movement would bring.

Emma hooked her arms under Regina's, gently lifting her into an upright position. Regina grimaced in pain, tears welling up almost instantly, as a wave of nausea hit her. She took as deep a breath as her aching chest allowed. She spat out a mouthful of blood. She dragged her right arm across her mouth, wiping it on the sleeve of her blouse.

"Sit behind me and face us toward Rumpelstiltskin." Emma immediately complied. "I need you to center yourself, Miss Swan. Completely clear your mind." Regina's body sagged into Emma's, resting her head on Emma's shoulder. For her part, Emma moved her arms from under Regina's arms to rest on her stomach, pulling Regina gently against her body.

"Focus all your energies on the thing you love the most, Emma," Regina struggled to continue. "Think of your love for Henry."

But it wasn't Henry Emma loved the most, or at least, not just Henry. Emma was startled to realize that she loved the woman in her arms just as much as Henry, had loved her for quite some time. Emma loved this utterly broken woman - broken both physically and emotionally. This woman, the Evil Queen who had destroyed the happiness of nearly everyone in town. This woman, the former mayor of this town, who kept everything running for years, carrying her secret burden alone. This woman, who had loved and raised Emma's son. This woman, Regina, was the thing Emma loved the most.

Regina felt the surge flow through her body almost instantaneously. That same feeling Regina had as she stood between Emma and Rumpelstiltskin returned tenfold. Regina felt the shattered pieces of her heart coalesce, reformed and bound by pure light, pure love, by Emma's pure, unconditional love. Time elongated, stretching, making every second feel like a lifetime. Every second felt like a lifetime of unconditional love. Regina felt her heart grow light, beating in time with Emma's.

Emma pulled Regina impossibly closer, praying Regina would accept what Emma's heart was offering.

Regina lifted her right arm, directing their combined energies toward Rumpelstiltskin's lifeless body. Light radiated from the tips of her fingers, ensconcing Rumpelstiltskin's broken body. A flash of light turned night to day, illuminating the surrounding forest. Both Emma and Regina turned away, unable to face the blinding light. Then, in the next moment, the light was gone, as was Rumpelstiltskin's body, the earth near where he previously lied scorched. And in the next moment, Regina sagged in Emma's arms, unconscious.

Back at the hospital, Emma paced the tight confines of her father's room. Regina was in surgery. Her broken ribs caused a collapsed lung. Emma hastily recounted the tale of Rumpelstiltskin's vanquishing, of Regina saving Emma's life. Snow sent a party out to survey the area, and retrieve David's sword. Emma had abandoned it next to where she and Regina had sat, its value inconsequential compared to Regina's life. Emma gently gathered Regina in her arms, stumbling through the forest toward the cruiser, ignoring the pain in her back, fighting against the weakness in her arms and legs. Adrenaline and love pushing her forward with her precious cargo.

Snow pleaded with Emma to return to the loft for a shower and a fresh change of clothes. And to rest. They would call with any news on David or Regina, the instant there was something to report. Emma refused to leave before Regina came out of surgery, but finally relented when Snow suggested Henry needed to rest too. Perhaps they should both have something to eat, Snow gently suggested. Emma reluctantly complied, asking for David's truck keys. The cruise was in no state for Henry to see, splattered with Regina's blood. Snow promised to make arrangements for the cruiser.

The truck pulled up to the curb outside Granny's where Red met them with a takeaway bag. Snow had placed the order with Granny's the second her daughter and grandson had left. Two grilled cheese sandwiches and a couple hot cocoas with extra whipped cream and cinnamon. Henry took the bag from Red, as Emma reached for her wallet in her back pocket.

"Snow took care of it," Red informed them, "I'll be by to check on you two after my shift." Obviously, Snow had arranged for more than the food and cruise. Emma nodded her appreciation before heading back to the loft.

"She saved me, Henry," Emma gave him a sidelong glance as they drove toward the loft. "Your mom saved my life."

"She's not my mom," he contradicted, "You're my mom!"

They'd had this discussion numerous times the last couple years, usually instigated by Emma's suggestion that Henry consider visiting Regina at the mansion. His resistance was tantamount to Snow's refusal to seek Regina's help in defeating Rumpelstiltskin prior to the last twelve hours.

Regina, it would seem was irredeemable in her mother's and son's eyes – a lost cause.

But, Emma knew better.

Just as Emma had been destined to save everyone, Regina had been destined to enact the curse, to destroy everyone's happiness. Regina's love for Henry had proven to be the key to Regina overcoming her destiny. Regina had been willing to risk everything, including the curse to save Henry. Regina had surrendered completely, given up her magic, stepped forward to help without hesitation. She had also been willing to risk her own life to save Emma's. Regina had proven steadfastly selfless the last couple years, though no one other than Emma seemed willing to credit Regina's account.

"I would be dead if it wasn't for your mother." Henry pointedly ignored her, choosing to look out the window, refusing to contemplate Emma dying.

"She loves you Henry," Emma extolled.

"I don't care!" His voice cracking in anger and frustration.

"She loves you more than her parents ever loved her. She sacrificed everything, risked everything for her love for you, without expecting anything in return, which was a good thing," Emma charged, "Because that exactly what she's gotten from you, nothing!"

They didn't speak the remainder of the night. Henry's ingratitude, for a kid who had had love and affection showered on him in abundance from the moment he came into Regina's life, weighed heavily on Emma.

Henry refused to visit Regina at the hospital, sticking to David's room. He peeked in on her a couple times, as she slept, her good arm handcuffed to the bed rail, her left in a splint due to the compound fracture. She looked smaller than he remembered, her dark hair contrasting starkly with the white hospital sheets.

Forgiveness skirted the edges of his heart, only to skitter away. She was the Evil Queen, not his mother.