PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE TO THE END:

First off, I'd like to thank all of you that have supported this story. You all mean the world to me. Every comment, every share, every follow. You keep me going.

Secondly, to the guest who continues to comment on my story just because they are upset that Killian is tagged: HOOK IS IN THE STORY. HE IS IN MULTIPLE CHAPTERS. NO, I WILL NOT UNTAG HIM. DEAL WITH IT.

Just because you are upset over something as simple as a character does not mean you need to attack me. You don't like poor little Killian in a Swan Queen story? Sorry, not changing it. I'm sorry if this offends some of you.

Just a simple word of advice to all of you: Don't attack writers on here. Constructive criticism is okay, but we work hard to put our stories out there. We're basically giving away a part of our heart when we post stories for your enjoyment as a lot of you can understand, as most of you are writers as well. We're already our own worst critics: The best thing you can do is be respectful.

Emma woke to a soft voice whispering in her ear and someone shaking her. She forced her eyes open to see a figure looming above her. As her eyes adjusted to the lighting of the room she saw it was Henry above her. "Henry…" she lifted her hand to touch his face, afraid she might be hallucinating.

"Mom," the young man said with a smile before he helped her sit up. "How did you get here? Where were you? Where is the Queen and the Dark One?" Emma asked. The room was still disorienting as she fought to focus. "I've been learning magic," Henry answered as he began to dress her in a pair of shoes and a jacket over her nightgown.

"But- "

"Mom, we just have to get you out of here. I promise I'll explain everything once we're out of town," the man said. "Can you walk?"

Emma shook her head. "I can hardly move. You need to go, Henry."

Her eyes flickered to the doorway. They could be back any minute. She wouldn't lose her son too. Even if it meant not seeing him again, she would be happy knowing he was safe.

Henry cupped her face in his hands. "Mom, it's okay. Just trust me."

When Emma opened her eyes, she found herself at the town line with Henry holding her steady. "Magic," she said softly as she looked around. Henry smiled at her. "I'm a quick study."

Emma looked at her son in awe. He had matured so much since they were separated. He had become a man. His voice was deeper, he was significantly taller and had acquired more muscle, he had scruff on his chin. But most importantly he had become a leader. The kind-hearted little boy she had helped raise had truly grown up the way she and Regina had wanted.

She never expected her son to be her knight in shining armor. "There's a car on the other side of the town line. Then we'll be free to start over together this time," Henry said as he helped her along.

A worrying thought came to the front of her mind. What would become of the other children that had been sent away? What would become of this town once they left? This was their home. And now they were running away again.

Grabbing Henry's arm, she pulled him to a stop. "We can't leave."

Henry looked at her in shock. "This is the only way we can be together. The only way we will be safe," he argued. Emma shook her head, then immediately regretted it. The world spun and she clutched Henry's arm even tighter. The young man managed to get her over the line and into the car without any trouble.

Emma opened her mouth to speak, but Henry stopped her. "The town is destroyed. Everyone is gone. You will die too if you stay there. Let me take care of you for once, Mom."

Emma nodded and leaned back against the seat. Henry jumped in the driver's side and started the car. The blonde opened her eyes as she realized her son was going to drive her. He wasn't old enough for that. Henry smiled as he read her mind. "I'm technically an adult now, Mom. The land I was in accelerated time."

That brought the thought of the other children back to the front of her mind. "But the others…"

"They're all grown up too. Except for a couple of the kids, but they're all safe. I made sure they would be." Henry answered as he took her hand. "Just get some rest, we'll be home soon."

Home. Just the thought of having somewhere to call home again filled her heart with hope. They needed to stick together now. They could be a family again and start over. Like Regina would have wanted.

The thought of leaving Regina behind almost made her want to turn the car around. She wanted to believe there was good still in her. But seeing who she had become proved her wrong. She was pure evil, just like her dark half. She couldn't risk Henry's life because of the feelings she used to have for Regina. She needed to be the mother that she promised herself she would be.

When she woke up again, the sun had risen and they were surrounded by civilization. Henry was yawning and rubbing his eyes as he occasionally sipped on a cup of coffee. He smiled when he noticed she was awake. "How are you feeling, Mom?" He asked as he reached over to hold her hand.

"Not great, but better. Where are we?" Emma asked. "We are home," Henry answered as he pulled into a driveway. Emma looked around to see they were in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. Trees lined the sidewalks, each house was lavish and unique, and the sun shone down brightly on them.

How she missed the sunlight. Storybrooke had become a forgotten wasteland shrouded in darkness. This was the perfect neighborhood Emma dreamed of living in growing up. "How did you manage this?" She asked Henry as he helped her out of the car.

"I may have tweaked a few things before we arrived. I broke the rules, so I'm not the author anymore. Not one with powers, anyway. But I made sure everyone would be taken care of here. That I could take care of my family here. I just didn't expect- "

The young man cut off for a second. Emma squeezed his hand to comfort him. She knew what he was trying to say. "I didn't expect everyone to already be gone by the time I got back. I thought I'd have more time, that I would be able to help everyone," Henry said.

Emma hugged her son the best she could in her weakened state. "You saved me. You saved the ones that were sent away with you. You are a hero. My hero."

Henry kissed her cheek before leading her inside and to the bathroom. "I already have your room set up. I bet you'll want to get cleaned up so if you want to take a shower I'll make us some breakfast."

Emma managed to get clean and dressed in fresh clothes that Henry had brought for her. The man was waiting outside the door when she was done, and was quick to help her. Emma looked around her at the house in astonishment as he showed her around. It was everything she had ever dreamed of.

"I have a surprise for you," Henry said as he led her into a room. It was a nursery from the looks of it; decorated for a baby boy. Emma was still taking it all in when a woman joined them with a baby boy in her arms. "Mom, this is Violet. I let her know we were coming so she could bring the baby over. She lives next door and offered to watch him while I went back to Storybrooke."

Emma's eyes widened at the situation in front of her. "This isn't… he isn't your baby, is he Henry? Please tell me I didn't miss out on having a grandkid," Emma said. Both Henry and Violet laughed. "No, Mom." The young man took the baby into his arms and placed them in his mother's. "This is Neal. Your baby brother."

Tears welled in the blonde's eyes as the little Prince cooed and smiled up at her. Neal was okay. He was alive. "How is this possible? He's still the same age he was when all of this happened," Emma asked as she wiped her tears. "I didn't want him to grow up without his family so I made him little again. I didn't think it was fair to have Grandma and Grandpa miss out on seeing another child grow up," Henry answered.

Those words sobered the room as the reality of their lives sunk in. Henry gently set Neal in his crib before helping his mom to her bed as she began to sway on her feet. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" He asked worriedly as he covered tucked the woman in.

Emma shook her head. "I just have to ride this out, kid. It's the darkness that is making me sick. Maybe now that we're in a place without magic it will wear off and I'll get better. Don't worry, Henry. We'll get through this."

Her words did nothing to quell her son's anxiety. It didn't help her own either; Emma wasn't so sure she would get better. As long as her dark half was alive and they were both tethered to that dagger she was in danger.

The Dark One tore through the house in a fit of rage. The Savior had escaped! Henry had found his way back to Storybrooke somehow, and he was stronger than ever. The shock of seeing him had stunned the women, and he had quickly overpowered them with his light magic.

"He took her. They're not in this house, they're not in the town; they must have escaped somehow!" Dark Emma yelled as she threw a fireball at the wall. It sizzled before disappearing, leaving a trail of smoke behind.

The Queen, meanwhile, was taking it easy as she sipped on an apple martini. "Oh who cares. Let them go, dear. You don't need the Savior when you have me."

The Dark One rolled her eyes and clenched her jaw. Regina just didn't get it. Without her better half, she was doomed. Her magic was weakening by the hour; she could feel it from the moment Henry arrived. Soon, she would be powerless and the Queen would overthrow her kingdom. Or what was left of it.

"We need to find them. I need Emma back," Dark Emma said as she paced. It would be nearly impossible to find them if they had left the town, and to go searching for them would mean losing her magic even faster.

The Queen scowled at her irritation. "Am I not good enough for you? You've had your fun with me so now you want a new play thing?" She snapped. "Don't start, Regina. You don't understand what will happen if we don't find her," the Dark One said in a low, menacing tone.

Regina stalked forward and looked her square in the eye. "Oh there's no we anymore, my dear. If you would rather have some weak and petty hero, go ahead and find her yourself."

"Don't be ridiculous- "

The Queen turned and threw her glass against the wall. The drink shattered into pieces, the red liquid slowly leaking down towards the floor. "I am not some pet! I have tried over and over to get you to see me, and you don't! I became immortal for you, I changed for you! Even when I was weak and good, I believed in you. You never cared about me! It was always a one-way fucking street!" The woman screamed.

The Dark One stared at her in shock for a few seconds. She knew Regina had cared for her, but she never knew she cared this much. The brunette's face was flushed red, her brown eyes hardened with anger.

Dark Emma stepped forward as she began to defend herself, but stopped. This was not the goal. Regina was not who she needed right now. Love is weakness. Love is blindness. She was the Dark One; she didn't feel love.

Dark Emma knew Regina wanted her to say something; to tell her she was wrong, that she did love her and she always had. That's why she hadn't moved since she finished her speech. She was hoping, longing for the Dark One to be the twisted happy ending she dreamed of having.

"Love is weakness, Regina. So do yourself a favor and grow the fuck up."

Hurt softened those soft brown eyes that had silently pleaded with her to open her heart. In a puff of smoke Regina was gone without another word.

An idea sparked in the Dark One's mind as she transported herself to the main street. With a shattering of glass, Gold's shop was open. She could have easily just poofed herself inside, but breaking something helped her anger.

The man was still deep in his coma as she approached. Dark Emma stabbed her hand into his chest and ripped out his white heart. "Wake the fuck up, you coward!" She hissed as she squeezed the organ. The man woke up gasping in pain and clutching his chest.

"What- what's going on?" He asked as he looked around. His eyes filled with fear as he saw the Dark One above him holding his heart. "What do you want? Where's Belle? What have you done with her?" He asked. "I need your help. More so, your magic," Dark Emma answered.

"I- I'm not the Dark One anymore, you are. I don't have any magic I- I'm mortal. Where is Belle?" Gold stuttered. The Dark One rolled her eyes. "If you cooperate with me, I'll answer your questions. Understand?"

"And if I don't?"

Dark Emma squeezed his heart until the man was wheezing in pain again. "You'll be a pile of dust. Now, I need you to go find something for me. Or rather, someone. My good half. Henry has found his way back to Storybrooke and has managed to take her out of town. I need you to bring her back."

"I wouldn't even know where to begin! I told you I don't have magic anymore!" Gold pleaded. "I can show you where she is. Now, do we have a deal or not?" The Dark One bargained. The man sat up. "And then you'll tell me where my Belle is?"

The woman fought to hide a smirk. He was sure in for a rude awakening once he knew the truth. "I will," she answered. Gold slowly nodded and got up, going to his china cabinet. "This mirror will show me where Emma is even in a world without magic. You just need to use magic to enchant it," Gold explained as he handed it over.

The Dark One waved her hand and suddenly an image appeared. Good Emma was tucked into bed as Henry spoon-fed her soup. She looked even worse than she had in Storybrooke. The outside of the house appeared, showing a street sign and an address. "Now, go. And if you want to see your maid alive again I suggest you hurry."

Gold nodded and pocketed the dagger before leaving her alone. Soon, she would be reunited with her good side. And then her kingdom would be complete.