X Emma X

"I need a way to break the barrier gold, and you're going to help me."

"I'm afraid I can't do that dearie."
"Bullshit. You found a way to keep your memories."

"Ah yes, but I had motivation, but I don't think this concerns me."

"It does! Regina lost her child!"

"Not my concern any more, Miss Swan. It's all on you. I suggest you get to finding her soon enough though, because aren't the first 48 hours the most important when finding someone?"

And fuck gold, because the imp was right.

"Please, if there is nothing else, I would like you to leave."

Maybe he meant the shop, but to Emma, it sounded like town.

She was going to find Regina.

XXX

"Henry!"
She called as she entered the mansion, ready to face it if Henry would refuse her.

"Emma?"

She clenched her eyes shut tight to keep the ache from getting to her. She deserved that, she had led Regina to losing her child, Henry to losing his little sibling. And when she opened them and was met with a sorrow-ridden face, pink and puffy eyes, her own was on the road to becoming the same.

"Pack up your stuff, we're gonna go find your mom."

And maybe she should smile at the fact she could take away some pain with the mention of Regina's title.
"Really Ma?"

He barrelled into her then, hugging her tight. And she really couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips, because if this could give them hope, then maybe it would be enough.

"Yeah, pack light, kid. We might be on the road a while."

"Okay."

She barely saw him run up the stairs in a flash, ready to see his mother again, if she could find her.

But an hour later, when they were packing up their few belongings into the bug and the mansion was quickly shrinking in the rear-view mirror.

She will, she thinks.

Because if this can make Henry's frown crack, make him stop crying for a while, take away the pain she caused him, it'll be enough. Even if Regina hates her.

A little life in her son's eyes will always be enough.