A/N: To everyone who has reviewed. You are great. I bow to your reviews. Lol.
And thanks to Ash. Who listens to me go nuts as I rewrite the chapter a billions times because im nuts.
Convincing the people, the ones that now had two lives flowing into one inside of their brains, that Emma was her daughter, her blood, was as easy as opening her mouth. When she told them that Regina had aided in the breaking of the curse that the Evil Queen herself had been far too easy. The lies had slipped from her tongue as easily as truth, and everyone ate every syllable that dripped from Snow's perfect lips.
All but one had believed what fell from Snow's mouth, Charming had eyed his wife, not believing his ears as she spoke. As she told everyone the story. Now, he couldn't fathom that his precious Snow was lying, so, he assumed that Regina had somehow cursed her into thinking that she had helped, for her own benefit of course. He'd crossed his arms, staring at the blonde that was his daughter, who was still being half held up by his wife, and his arch nemesis. The woman who had taken everything from him.
Keeping his mouth shut he glared at Regina, taking his daughter from her, struggling to carry her all on his own, but he grunted as he tossed her over his shoulder. He was playing peacock, trying to strut his stuff. To intimidate the brunette, he wasn't doing a very good job. Both his wife, and Regina, rolled their eyes at him. Charming would have commented, but he was still waiting for the sweet satisfaction of victory that he was sure to come when Emma woke up and told everyone what the Evil Queen had done to her.
The White Queen dismissed the people, telling them to try and find their families, to try and calm themselves. Telling them to spread the word of what she'd told them, and then she grabbed Granny, and the three woman led the red-faced and panting Charming towards the bed and breakfast. Charming was too proud to admit he wasn't strong to carry his muscular adult child.
Former enemies united and pulling the somehow still slumbering blonde off of her exhausted father and pulled her onto the bed she had been renting. Once Emma was settled onto the bed, she instinctively searched for Regina. However the woman who had been dubbed the Evil Queen made sure her hands didn't catch onto what they had aimed for. Instead Ruby sat down beside the sleeping woman, and began to rub her arms to calm her down.
Granny chose this time to slip away to seek herbs and plants of healing, as well as any potions that might be available, and weapons. Her weird obsession for swords, crossbows, axes, and bows now made sense. She wondered how Snow had managed to find such a beautiful bow so quickly as she scampered off to her own little armory underneath her house.
Holding herself back from claiming Emma as hers as the annoying wolf-child placed her hands upon Regina's true love's body was excruciating, more so than the mayor had even contemplated. She hadn't thought it would be easy, but the sight alone had a murderous streak rising within her gut. She wondered if she could do it, if she could somehow manage not to rip out Ruby's very throat.
As if she could sense Regina's mood Snow placed a calming hand on her step-mother's shoulder. Eyebrows raised in a mixture of alarm, confusion, and a sense of just what the damn fuck as the angry woman sent her an appreciative smile. Snow honestly believed she was in some sort of alternate dimension or twilight zone for that second because it was just too. It wasn't believable, but, Snow couldn't deny what she'd seen. Appreciation, no matter how small, from a woman who had cast many a curse upon her.
Against all odds Snow's action had given Regina just the tiniest flicker of calm, the tiniest sense that she wasn't completely alone. Not that the proud mayor, and ex-queen, would ever admit that. Least of all to the woman who had been her enemy since the day she'd broken the promise. Right then, in that moment, she needed it. And Snow gave it to her, because it was what Emma needed. If she fell victim to the need and longing in her chest, then Emma would remember the moment they kissed, and Regina had swore never to allow that to happen. She needed out of there.
"Kathryn has my son, and I should go and check on them. To make sure they are both safe" Kathryn was one of Regina's, alright, she was the closest thing Regina had to a friend, and the only one she trusted to take care of Henry.
Charming's teeth made a sickening sound as they clenched together, he knew that Snow was going to be all weak considering whatever curse had been placed upon her by the evil vile thing in front of him, so killing her, while the best plan for everyone, wouldn't work right now. That would have to wait until Emma woke up and told them the truth.
Merely thinking about killing the thing that had taken everything from him again and again brought him enough joy that he was able to take a deep breath unnoticed, and calm himself enough to speak, he glanced at his sleeping child, a child he had lost so many years on, and then at his naive wife. He had to say just the right thing to get Regina where she needed to be, so that he could execute her the moment the real truth was told.
"No, I am taking you to the jail. Even if you helped the curse, which, I find doubtful, that does not alter your past crimes. You still need to receive punishment. In our world hanging would have sufficed" The last sentence hadn't meant to slip past his lips, but it had.
The old woman glanced at him, having only heard his very last words. She glanced at her Queen, at Snow, before handing the King a sword. Charming attached the sword belt, and sword, to his person with familiarity and ease. Snow took a set from Granny as well. They needed weapons, but she also needed to keep her husband in check. She sighed, Charming could be such a tool at times.
"You will do no such thing" Snow snapped at him as calmly as she could manage. "We will not jail, and we will not hang her!" Charming narrowed his eyes at his wife. Snow opened her mouth, ready to defend Regina.
However, Regina rested a hand on Snow's shoulder. Halting her train of thought, Regina just sighed. If being taken to jail was going to be on the agenda, she might as well go peacefully. Snow needed her energy to take care of Emma, not waste it arguing with her retarded husband.
"I will go with you, after all, with less than a snap of my fingers I could have slaughtered you all, or, at the least, I could have transported home." Regina said with a smile that caused chills down the King's spine.
"Are you sure?" Asked Snow, her stepmother nodded at her. Snow sent a glare at her husband. "Get there, and get back here quickly. Do not do anything I wouldn't approve of, understood?" A frown graced his features, but he nodded at his wife.
Fingers grasped roughly at the back of Regina's neck, nails scratching deep into the skin. Charming forced her head down, to the point her back was perfectly level with the floor and ceiling. He then grabbed her arms, pulling them up into the air, placing a death grip on her wrists. The position made a smile appear on his lips, he knew she deserved so much more.
A loud thwack was heard as Granny smacked the King square in the back of the head. A low growl escaped his lips and he let go of Regina to glare at her. His eyes met Snows, her arms were crossed, and her eyes were narrowed. Her lips were drawn into a thin, pale line. Anger swelled in his chest, they had no right to question his actions. He was king! He knew what was best! He was the man!
Snow had made no move to punish her husband, because she knew, from experience, that should Regina want to, she could simply squash her nimrod of a partner into the tiniest of stains on the carpet. Granny knew as well, but she was long since tired of Charming's sense of righteousness. And no woman, not even Regina, deserved such treatment. Granny had long since wondered how Snow had come to be paired with a man who simply refused to see the Evils of some people, and the Good in others. A man who was blind to everything but what he wanted to see.
His second attempt at getting Regina away from his wife was much more successful, he had simply held her hands behind her back, with more force than necessary, but you can't have everything. Leaving his wife, Ruby, and Granny to fret over his sleeping daughter. A daughter that he was sure was going to validate his beliefs, a daughter that he was sure would give him the go ahead to rid the world of the Evil that was Regina Mills.
Three hours passed and the three woman watched anxiously over Emma. They placed cold cloths on her forehead, and paced the floors as they waited for her to wake up. Two of them waiting to hear her side of the story, to hear of the Savior's life, while Snow wondered what life was going to be like for Emma now that she remembered absolutely nothing.
Considering the tale she had spun about Regina, herself, and Emma's role in the breaking of the curse she couldn't exactly tell them that she knew the consequences of the actions taken. Couldn't release that she knew what Emma had sacrificed. It was more believable that she wouldn't know of such things. Everyone but herself, and Regina, knew the truth. Everyone else believed that Regina had made two potions, and that Emma had switched them without Regina's knowledge.
Saving the Evil Queen, Regina, from the clutches of her annoying, too many defects to list, husband would have to be pushed back for awhile. Snow was simply too busy freaking out as she continued to pace in front of her long lost daughters bed. Impatiently waiting for her to wake up. Wondering just how the hell she was going to explain what happened, what she would tell her of her past life.
After what had felt like centuries to the women in the room the blonde's eyes fluttered open. A killer pain vibrated deep inside of her guts, and between her temples. She forced her eyes to stay open as she glanced at a beautiful woman that was staring at her, and sitting right beside her still laying form. Two sets of green eyes connected, staring into each other. To say Emma was started would be an understatement, but she tried to stay calm as her eyes widened and she took in the woman sitting with her.
"Who are you people?" Whispered Emma. Words had began to form in her mouth and mind, yet, she didn't know why, or where she had learned them. Her brows creased as she propped herself on her elbows. "Who am I?" a tinge of fear settling into her system. "I can't remember, I can't remember anything" She muttered.
"Your name is Emma, but I choose to call you Stranger Danger. You like to call me Rubix, but, my name is Emma. We are friends, trust me" Ruby explained with a sad smile, as she realized that one of the prices that Emma had to pay was memory.
The blonde sat sat up fully, pressing her back firmly against the headboard. Her own green eyes swept the room taking every small detail, analyzing the situation as best as she could. Besides Rubix she saw two other women in the room. An elderly woman, who was wearing a crossbow as if it was a purse, and a woman who looked around Emma's age. She had short hair, and her face was scrunched up, she looked as if she would cry. The younger of the had a bow strung over her shoulder, and a quiver of arrows was slightly visible from her back. The sight of all of those weapons didn't make Emma feel that safe.
"If you say so" Emma muttered as she tried to decide if these people were friend; or foe. "Why do you have weapons?" She asked. What she could only classify as a flight or fight response started to kick in.
The need to protect herself, and the woman on her bed, filled her system. Growing with every beat of the red fleshy organ that was nestled under her ribcage. The women themselves struck no fear, but once her brain registered the weapons, and the damage they could do. Adding the two together screamed danger to the blonde.
Her brain went into overdrive as she stared out at the weapon wielding women. She knew nothing of these women, in fact, she still knew nothing but what she could gather were facts. Every memory, personal experience, and people were foreign and nonexistent to her. She wondered if she, and possibly the unarmed woman, had been abducted. Then she wondered if the armed women were suffering some mental infliction of some kind.
"Emma, I know that you must be scared right now." Snow ran a hand through her hair, she was beyond stressed. And had absolutely no idea what she was going to do with the situation. "I swear we are not going to hurt you."
"Just because you say that doesn't mean you won't. I do not know you, and I do not know myself. This is confusing to me, and having weapons so close to my being doesn't aid in settling my nerves" was Emma's response.
"I will explain everything to you. Granny, Ruby, and I would never hurt you. Please, just trust us. Why don't we go to the diner, get some food in you, and then we can discuss everything that has happened" Snow said quietly.
The blonde glanced at Ruby, who gave her a reassuring smile, then back at the elderly woman. Who she now knew was called Granny. Finally her green eyes landed on the short-haired brunette who had yet to release her own name. Her eyes roamed her body up, then down. A sigh passed the woman's lips as Emma nodded her agreement.
Trusting the two weapon-outfitted woman was not high on Emma's to do list, so she was uncomfortable as she followed them, her hands in her pockets, and her eyes darting all around. Searching for a sign danger, a sign that something was wrong. She was uncomfortable, and her fight or flight instincts were still running wild within her.
As if Ruby sensed the turmoil within her she slowed down, so she was walking in pace with Emma. She flashed her a thousand watt smile, leaned into Emma, and let her hand find its way into Emma's pocket. Once there she laced their fingers together, and Emma smiled back at her. Feeling calmer, and less frightened already. She most certainly didn't find Ruby a threat.
The group was huddled outside the diner as Granny ran through her keys trying to locate the right one to unlock the door. After an awkward silent minute the clink of the door unlocking was heard the the foursome made there way inside. Ruby pulled Emma over to a booth, sitting down next to her, as Granny took to the other side of the booth. Snow sat at the bar, quickly tapping away at her phone.
At first the stupid tree shit that the parent teacher association had insisted be put in place last year had been nothing more than an intrusive nuisance, giving every other teacher, and parent, the brunettes number. But in this moment Snow couldn't be more happy with the fact. It was the only reason she even had Regina's number.
Knowing her husband's shortsightedness, and his inability to actually think about anything other than his own agenda, Snow knew that Charming wouldn't think of the woman's cellphone. His incompetency aggravated her at times, but, in this case it came in handy. She quickly sent off a text asking what Emma liked.
'In the future one should refrain from asking such questions' Snow rolled her eyes at the text message before continuing on. 'She hates anything remotely healthy. One of her most desired foods is grilled cheese with tomato. Seasoned fries dipped in salsa. And if you wish to win her heart sneak cinnamon and rum into her hot chocolate.'
After sending the Ex-Queen a thank you message Snow put her phone away. Then she gave Granny her order, the older woman scurried off to make the food, and Snow slid into her place. An awkward silence filled the air until a plate was placed in front of Emma, and she dug into it with vigor. Everything was cooked to Regina's specification, minus the rum of course.
"Most amazing thing I've ever eaten." Emma moaned out as she shoveled the food into her mouth at a speed one would assume impossible, but the other three woman knew that Magic took a hefty toll. Especially on the inexperienced. "Well. the only thing I've ever eaten" She added as an afterthought.
Snow decided that starting at the very beginning would be the best plan of action. She told Emma what she could of Regina's troubled childhood. Then what she knew of her dark magic. The White Queen explained how they had fought each other for years, how, in the end, both armies were failing, and no victor could be determined. Then she spoke of the curse, the curse the would uproot them from their true home, and plant them into the one they were in now.
How they were forced to give Emma up as an infant, trusting a magical tree to get her to the right realm, so that she could grow, and then, one day, return to them. To fulfill her destiny. As the savior. The White Knight. How it was her job to save them from the curse, and return them to their homelands.
The daughter of Snow White, the Savior, had listened carefully. Emma had not interrupted her mother, not even when her 'Father' had showed up and pulled a chair next to their booth and listened in. Tight-lipped she had listened as Snow continued her tale, going on to inform Emma that once in this world the Evil Queen had vanished, and had become Regina once more. How she had done nothing but good in this world. How she had adopted and loved a son. A son that had turned out to be Emma's own offspring.
Snow's tale continued to be spun as she said that at finding out Emma's true heritage the woman who had been the Evil Queen had teamed up with the blonde. How, together, the two had made a magical potion. She went on to say that the two had made it so only one of the two potions would have consequences, one person to take on both of the consequences, whatever they may be.
It was stated that Regina was the one who was supposed to drink the potion that would have consequences, that would take the price of the magic that would occur. However, without either Snow, or Regina, noticing the blonde had switched the vials. So when the two women had drank their individual potions at the same time, which did it's job, it broke the curse, Emma had taken on the consequences, and she, the savior, had dropped to the ground. Falling into a deep sleep while the consequences of the magic ran it's course. She stated that Emma had played savior for everyone, including Regina.
"So. We are all from a fairytale land, that apparently, Disney managed to butcher completely. There was curse, that transported us all here. This woman who was Evil, but who isn't anymore, aided in me breaking this curse, and I was a dumbass who drank her potion because that was my job as this savior?" Emma said slowly.
Emma sipped at her hot chocolate as she stared at the people who were claiming to be her parents, they seemed her age, or possibly even a year or two younger. She suddenly had a pang in her stomach, she had a craving, for some sort of alcoholic beverage. As the craving stuck her, she couldn't help but wonder if she even liked alcohol.
"Yes. Everything I have said is completely true" Snow sighed after she spoke, she could tell that her daughter wasn't quite at the point of believing her. She watched as the blonde glanced at Ruby, who nodded at her.
The real truth couldn't be said right now. Snow knew that, but she still hated to lie. Her false tale concerning the potions and the way the curse had ended was needed to appease the masses and to hopefully keep everyone from attempting to kill Regina. And, even more important, keep Charming from doing something more stupid than usual. The only people who knew the truth, that knew of the true love that lived in the very souls of Emma and Regina were Snow herself, and Regina. Beyond that, no one could know yet. And for now, Snow was content with her decision on the matter.
"And I have a child" Emma said in disbelief. "Who, I gave up for adoption" Charming's teeth made an audible clenching sound as his need for vengeance, his need to slaughter Regina grew inside of his gut.
"That worthless bitch took him, and probably corrupted him these past years" He growled out, Emma shot him a glare, and felt the need to give him a left fist to that annoying chin of his. He met her gaze with confusion, not understanding how she could not want to save her son from her, not want to kill her yet.
"And you, who is apparently my father, saw fit to put this boy's Mother behind bars for sending you to a better world? Who has done nothing but protect you all, and love and care for my birth child all these years?" Disbelief and anger were apparent in Emma's voice, and Charming felt a bit of disdain and disappointment grow inside of himself for the child he had never been able to know.
It hadn't taken long for Emma to finally realize that for some reason she could tell when someone was lying or not, it was like an instinct. She didn't know how, or why, but she knew if someone was lying or not. To a point at least. The woman who claimed to be her mother gave off weird signals, some things she said rang completely true, while others she just couldn't get a clear read on. What Charming said had been completely untrue. Even with her power she was unsure if she should trust it, or these people, but she did feel a great need to stuck up for the woman who had raised her son in her stead.
"There's a whole slew of people trying to get into the station. Poor Graham already fell trying to keep them from getting to the Mayor. They are going to kill her!" Panted a man as he burst into the diner, a dalmatian with his tongue hanging out from the run at his side. Both were out of breath.
"Let them, it saves us the trouble. Good fucking riddance I say" Snapped Charming. Emma held back the need to wrap her fingers around his throat and choke him for his obvious attitude problem.
"Archie, is this true?" Snow asked as she stood. Fear splaying across her face. She completely ignored her husbands statement, she didn't have the time to deal with him at the moment. She couldn't let Regina die. Not knowing what she knew.
Fear coursed through every fiber of Emma's being. It as like a raging inferno at the mere thought of this woman she didn't even know being murdered. Snow had told her a few things, that pertained to the history of the curse, and the breaking of said cure, but beyond that she knew nothing of her beloved.
The thought of this woman that she knew nothing about had her whole body tense. More angry, tense, and ready for battle then when she felt she herself, and Rubix, were in danger. Emma didn't have time to figure out why she felt such a great need to protect someone she hadn't yet met, at least, not that she had any memory of.
"NO" Emma barked out, the way she said that single word with such vigor and strength as she stood brought chills to the people in the room. She placed her palms flat against the cool table, in an attempt to calm herself.
"You don't understand, the best plan is to allow the natural course to take place. To let the people have the vengeance they so desperately deserve" Charming said angrily as he too stood up.
Her jaw tightened as she took in the sight of the man who claimed his seed had created her being, even if she had never known him before the curse, even if before this memory lapse had happened, she knew in this moment, she didn't want to know him. Instinctively she knew that his mind was set in stone, that all he wanted was the death of the Evil Queen, and that angered her even more.
"I said NO" She roared at him, her knuckles turning white as she pressed more weight onto her hands, doing her best to stop from giving the man a hefty blow to that face of his. "I will not allow anyone to be killed, especially a woman who saved you from a backwards medieval world!"
"She cursed us all, she took away your memory, she's evil and she will do nothing but evil. You just don't understand!" Whined Charming, wagging his finger dangerously closed to Emma's face, and he was lucky she had enough self-control not to bite the offending digit off.
Snow had the sense to pull Charming a few feet from the table, to try to get him away from her precious, and only, child. The child she had just got back, and she would be damned if she allowed Charming's foolishness to get in the way of her family reunion. She could see that Emma was getting angry, and fast. She sighed, she most definitely got her easy temper from her father's side.
"Regina helped me break the curse. I chose to take on the consequences of the spell that the potions activated. It was me, my choice. Not hers. For three decades that woman has done nothing but good. Running this town to the best of her ability, and protecting every single being inside of it's lines." She snapped back at him.
"Why don't we all sit back down, and take a few deep breathes. We don't want things to get out of hand do we?" Ruby placed a calming hand on Emma's white-knuckled one. It helped, but not very much.
"If I am this so called White Knight. The so called Savior. Then I declare Regina completely resolved for her crimes, and that she is untouchable. Understood?" She yelled out, red faced with rage, as she pounded a fist into the table like a gavel.
King Charming was indubitably appalled, confused, and downright furious at Emma's declaration. Even as King of the old world he doubted he could overturn the White fucking Knights decree. Charming wanted nothing more than to, at long last, shove a dagger deep within that evil bitch's gut and twist it until her eyes dimmed and the life finally left her body. With both his daughter and his wife against him, against the obvious correct choice, at least in his mind, Charming knew he would have to come up with a way to guide them to the truth. Guide them to his way of thinking.
Thankfully, although both Granny and Ruby had been greatly confused on why Emma had such a strong reaction, they thought no further on the matter after chalking it up to her status as the Savior and White Knight. It was, after all was said and done, her destiny, her duty, to save everyone. Once again Snow sighed, she knew the real reason behind Emma's reaction. While Emma did not remember Regina, even in her innocent sleep, her soul had already claimed the woman she had yet to see in her waking hours.
"Come on Stranger Danger. You feel so strongly about it, then I say we got us a Mayor to save" Ruby said as she stood up. She laced her fingers through the blondes as she yanked her hand off the table. Emma smiled appreciatively at her, and the two raced past the others in the direction of the door.
Snow rushed after them, keeping at their heels. While her husband dragged his feet, a scowl chiseled permanently onto his face. He was slow, he wasn't driven like the other three were. The woman rushed through the streets, which previously had been scattered with people here and there was now filled with large angry groups. Outfitted with pitchforks, and other ancient weaponry. It was the handful of guns that worried Emma as she allowed Ruby to lead her where she needed to be.
Blood and bits of brain matter were in a slowly drying puddle on and around the man dressed in a sheriff's uniform. He was most certainly dead, having his head bludgeoned so badly that his skull looked more like shattered glass and spaghetti rather than something that had once been a man. He was sprawled out in front of the sheriff's office, he had been doing his job, trying to protect his prisoner. He had failed, and paid the ultimate price for his service.
The door into the station was still locked, but the window was broken. By the splattering of blood on a few of the shards of glass, and the drippings down the door itself it looked like a few people had managed their way through the window, with at least minor wounds for their trouble. Some of the broken window had small remnants of clothing on it as well.
Emma slipped through the window with ease, her body was fairly used to such maneuvers even if her brain was not. Her mind and memories had been erased, set back to it's very infancy, so no memories could ever plague her, not even subconsciously. However, Regina had not been able to erase the scars that adorned Emma's body, she had not been able to erase the years of conditioning and training the blonde had done to stay in excellent shape for her job as a bounty hunter.
The wolf inside of Ruby allowed her to make it through the broken window with as much ease as Emma, both woman had gotten through without so much as a scrape. Ruby was very glad that her wolf instincts had come back in full force. Snow rolled her eyes and did the intelligent thing, which was reach her hand in through the window, and flip the lock.
Just as the door swung open Charming and Granny showed up, following Snow inside who was trying to catch up to the young girls. Soon they were a group of five, walking through the small station towards the back, where the cells were kept. No sounds could be heard, and Snow became worried of what had become of the intruders that had come through the window before them.
Mayor Mills' arms were crossed, and four men were asleep on the outside of her cell. Pickaxes and spears clutched in their sleeping hands. Snow let out a sigh of relief as she realized that they were not dead. Emma couldn't help but rake her eyes over the majestic beauties form, letting go of Ruby's hand as she did so.
The beauty in question only glared, first, at the hands that had been clenched together, and then at Emma's forehead, she couldn't dare look into those perfect green eyes. Finally, Regina rested her glaring gaze upon Snow White. Betrayal and anger was what Snow saw, and she was sorry, but she couldn't stop Emma from coming.
"Come on Regina. I will take you home" Snow stated as she walked towards the cell. At her words Regina snapped her fingers and the barred door opened wide. "Charming, take Emma to the middle of the town. Gather the people once more, they did not listen to me. But they will listen to our daughter, she is their Savior"
Teeth once more clenched together, and Charming nodded against his better judgment. For now he had to play by his foolish wife and daughters rules. He knew, deep within his soul, that they were very wrong, but he didn't know how to prove to their dumb brains that he was indeed the smart one. That he was only trying to protect them. With the scowl still upon his face he led Emma away, doing as his Queen demanded.
A/N: Alright, I hope the chapter was good enough to make up for it being nearly a week late. I will update when I can, but I am getting three children ages 4, 8, and 11 (turning 12 while I have him). So, yeah, thats going to be exhausting. Might not be able to write to often. As always, let me know what you think if you get the time!
