The group impatiently sat waiting for news on Emma. Gold was pacing tirelessly, Snow telling him multiple times to sit down but h continued to limp backwards and forwards. He felt to blame for everything; if only he had done something more, maybe Emma would be okay, she would be able to live out her life normally. Instead she was making herself more sick with stress and he couldn't do anything. He was watching his grandson's mother die and doing nothing to stop it. The silence was interrupted by the ringing of Henry's phone. It was the third time it had gone off, not to mention the five times Snow's phone had rung, the same number appearing on both devices.

"We can't ignore her forever." Snow told him, knowing that after hearing of the events of the previous day, her grandson was not as eager to speak to his other mother as he would be. He was angry, everyone understood that, but Regina was still his mother and she was clearly worried. Snow groaned when the boy never moved, snatching his phone, answering it before the last ring.

"Henry! Where are you? You never showed up for school and I can't get hold of anyone!" Snow sighed at how worried she sounded, feeling bad for allowing Henry to let her ignore the five previous calls on her own phone.

"Regina don't worry, he is with me. I am sorry I should have called you."

"I called you to. What is going on? I can't get hold of anyone."

"There has been an incident." Snow cringed at how brief she was being with the woman, Henry shaking his head at her continuously, David scolding him for being so bitter.

"An incident? What happened? Is it Henry?"

"No Regina, Henry is fine. It's- "She paused when she thought about how upset her daughter was last night, how heartbroken she was. Did Regina deserve to know? She had made it clear last night she did not care as much as anyone thought she did.

"Oh God… It's Emma isn't it? Is she- "Tears filled Snow's eyes as Regina stopped mid-sentence, the emotion building up in the brunette on the other side of the phone.

"No she isn't, but you should get to the hospital right away." She hung up, Henry's shoulders dropping with defeat.

"She didn't deserve that." He sulked, everyone jumping when Regina appeared a few yards away in a purple fog, her eyes read and puffy. Henry jumped up and stormed right past her, Regina not hesitating before going right after him. She chased him out the front door, managing to catch up as she grabbed his arm.

"Henry please, don't shut me out like this." She begged, him ripping his arm from her grasp, spinning to face her in a rage.

"Why? That's what you did to mom? She told you, she finally plucked up the courage to tell you and you shut her down! She cried and cried last night because the one other person she needed broke her. She is dying mom! Actually dying! And all you can worry about is the fact it took her a few weeks to tell you? It's pathetic. I thought you were better than this, so much better." His words stung, but he was right. He was always right.

"Henry listen to me; last night was a shock to the system. I have fallen in love with her, I love her with all of my soul, and hearing that she was dying, it- I can't justify the way I reacted because I panicked. When I am hurt I lash out, and that is exactly what I did but I did it to the wrong person. I did it to the person who didn't deserve I and I know I am wrong. I need to make up for this in her last few months, but I can do that if I don't have you at my side as well." Henry hadn't realised he was crying, Regina either as both stood with tears streaming down their rosy cheeks, Henry opening him mouth, his voice barley above a whisper.

"Mom is dying. She is actually dying." The two caved and wrapped each other up in the other's arms, Henry sobbing into her chest.

"I don't want her to go, we haven't had enough time." The defeat hit Regina in the face. Emma was going to die, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. She pushed him back and crouched down so she was at his level, placing her hands either side of his face.

"Listen to me, I know this is scary and I know that this is far from fair, but we need to think about Emma right now. She needs us all a lot more than we need her, and we are going to be here for her okay; together?" He nodded, rubbing away a stray tear from Regina's cheek with his thumb.

"I'm sorry I ignored your calls." He whispered, Regina laughing as she stood back up, them both walking back into the hospital.

"I'm sorry I was an idiot."

"Yeah you were an idiot." Regina smacked his arm lightly, the two laughing before sharing another hug. They walked into the waiting area to see everyone in the same position, Snow in David's arms, Gold pacing, Leroy and sneezy close by to give Snow support.

"Any news?" Henry asked, Snow shaking his head as he sat next to her, grabbing her hand, Regina next to him. They stayed like this for what seemed like hours, their movements fast when Whale walked out of the double doors, a small frown on his face when he saw Regina.

"She has been asking about you." He stated, Regina's eyes wide. He nodded, looking at Snow who was rubbing her hands together anxiously.

"She is okay, she is very run down and I am going to keep her in for a few days for observation, but she should be home soon."

"And the tumour?" Gold asked, Whale looking down slightly.

"It has grown, only slightly but you all knew it would only get bigger." Nobody spoke for a few seconds, the news sinking in. It was hard but all they cared about right now was seeing her.

"Can we see her?" Henry asked, Whale shaking his head.

"Not yet, she is still under and I want her under close observation for a few hours. You should all go home and rest- I will call you when she is up for visitors." Nobody dared to leave, Snow stepping forward before Whale could walk away.

"What about Regina? She is mayor- she must have the right to over-rule you." Regina was shocked at Snow pulling the mayor card, but she was one slip from doing it herself so she can't complain.

"I suppose. If you want to sit in until she wakes that is fine." She looked at Snow who was at her side, squeezing her hand.

"Please, I don't want her to wake up alone." Nodding, she kissed Henry on the head before following Whale to Emma's room. She was shocked at how pale she looked in the large hospital bed. It engulfed her, the pillows swallowing her small frame.

"Oh Emma." She whispered sadly, fighting back the tears as she sat on the chair next to her bed. She grabbed the blondes hand, the warmth comforting. She wasn't dead yet. She wasn't dead yet. It was running comment in her mind as she kept a tight grip on the blonde, not noticing as she fell asleep awkwardly in the chair.