Chapter 21

"Daddy, are we home yet?" Henry asked rubbing his tired eyes from the long flight.

"Just about Henry, we're going to stay with Gramma and Grampy so we're not going straight home."

"I'm sleepy Daddy."

"I know Sport, you rest it won't be long now." Neal replied stroking his son's head.

"Okay." Henry replied then drifted off to sleep.

Bringing Henry back before everything was resolved for Emma was huge move but he just couldn't get rid of the feeling that his father was up to something. When he last spoke with Emma, the phone was clicking and he just assumed it was her because she said she was out in the middle of the woods. But anytime he used his phone near the house it would click, thinking it was being traced he would go to town and use a phone box.

He called Emma's parents hoping to hear news that Emma was safe and it was all over. But they hadn't heard from her and were very worried. After their first conversation, Neal went back to his father's home and started paying more attention to the staff working there. It always seemed one of them would show up when he would go into a room or pick up the phone. He was being watched and he didn't like it.

He knew his father was eccentric but he was also a very rich and powerful man and did some underhanded things that Neal never wanted any part or knowledge of but now he wished he knew a little bit more about his father.

It wasn't until the next day when he went back into town to the phone box when he noticed the chauffeur following him in a different car. He didn't make the call at that time and pretended to be looking at the books at the nearest store.

That night he told his father he was going to go to bed early that he wasn't feeling well and left him alone in his office. He waited a short time then snuck back downstairs using the staff's staircase and listened outside his father's office.

He couldn't hear all of the conversation but he knew that the chauffeur's brother was in the States awaiting word to continue with the mission or abort and come back to Scotland. Neal thought it strange with the word mission and abort but then he heard something else and Neal's stomach dropped.

Heading straight back to his room, he packed his bag and quietly went into Henry's room and packed up his things as well. He didn't risk using his phone and waited until everyone went to bed before waking Henry up; getting him dressed leaving the house and making their way through town to get a taxi to the airport. They were going back to New York, he felt safer there now rather that in Scotland if only he knew how to get a hold of Emma.

"Emma? Emmaaaa..." Regina slurred as she slowly came to.

"Hey there Ma'am just stay still we're patching you up enough to transport you to the hospital okay?"

"Emma please is she okay? Emma!" Regina continued moving her head around knowing if Emma was all right, she would be there or answering her. "Get me Emma or Detective Prince."

The medics continued to try patching her up but she wouldn't stop moving so they call one of the cops over to appease her.

"What is it?" Prince asked kneeling down next to Regina. "What's wrong?"

"Where's Emma? What happened to her?"

Realizing he hadn't seen her for a bit, he patted Regina's hand gently and let her know that he'd go get her. He got up and looked around for her then went to Knight and asked if he'd seen her.

"Something's wrong Prince, find her." Regina said then began to fade fighting to keep her eyes open.

Knight didn't know where she was either and both detectives start to look around asking others if they had seen Emma Swan. They split up and began searching for her.

Heller came inside as Knight was rushing out of the door. "Whoa, what's going on Detective?"

"We're looking for Emma, no one's seen her. Regina thinks something is wrong and Prince and I agree. Have you seen her?"

"Yes, well it was a short while ago she was with another officer in the back yard. She's fine."

"Yeah maybe, but I'll just go check to make sure. Thanks." Knight replied relaying the info to his partner who was still inside the house.

Prince was already out the kitchen door and came across a scene he didn't want to see.

"Police, drop the weapon and step away from Ms. Swan, now," Prince yelled as he stepped over the fallen officer and pointed his gun at the large man who was pointing his weapon at Emma.

"Ay, so haur we ar. It's me or ye Lassie and I'm a dead man if A don't kill you anyway so I 'ave naething' tae lose haur.

Emma didn't quite understand the words but she knew what they meant. He was going to die and so was she there was no if ands or buts. She was going to try to make peace with it, with losing Henry knowing Neal and her parents would love him and raise him to be a good man. Regina was she all right, is she even alive? The woman she hardly knew but felt so close to, so connected to but they never got a real chance to be together. To find out what could have been.

"I don't know who you are my friend but no one has to die here. Just put down your weapon and step back with your hands up." Prince continued coming to terms that they had two killers on the loose in this small town all this time. What this woman had ever done to deserve this he'd never understand.

Prince knew if he took his shot, the man could still get a shot off and kill Emma. They were at a standstill so he moved a little closer to Emma talking to the man as he went.

"Dinna come any closer." John Little ordered with sweat on his brow.

"Okay man, I'm stopping right here. You know you don't have to do this. If someone is forcing you we can protect you."

"Ay, but not ma brother."

"If he's here or if he can get somewhere safe I'm sure your authorities will keep him safe too. Nothing is set in stone we can find a way out of this. Wouldn't you rather do that than kill this woman who hasn't done anything to deserve this?" Prince continued taking another step closer to Emma.

The large man said nothing only pointing his gun to Emma's head staring into her eyes. She knew this was it. Knowing this was her final moment she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly waiting for it all to disappear.

John Little was vigilant and stayed still, focused on Emma. He knew he had to do this no matter what the cop was saying. His brother was dead if Emma lived; no, he can't wait any longer this is it. And with that last thought he pulls back his finger and the gun went off.

"Emma!" Regina yelled hoping that shot wasn't about Emma.

"Ma'am, Ma'am please stay still you are seriously injured please stop moving. We're going to get you onto that stretcher." The medic explained as she and her partner finally got Regina stable and lifted her onto the gurney.

"NO, no not until I know about Emma. Please! EMMA!"

The gunshot seemed so close her chest tightened thinking that the woman who captured her heart in fantasy and reality might be gone and she cried out for her.

The medics felt that Regina might be a danger to herself if she continued fighting them this way so they give her medication to calm her enough to fall to sleep. Once they were told that it was now secured outside they wheeled Regina out into the waiting ambulance and took her to the local hospital.

When they arrived at the hospital Zelena, Belle and Ruby were outside waiting. One of the deputies left a radio for them to listen to what was happening. He didn't want to do it, some things that happen in these situations most civilians should never see or hear but Ruby was very persuasive and he left them his radio before leaving.

Hearing everything that went on in the house all three women were shocked and scared when they heard the scream followed by gunshots. Finally, when everything calmed down and the house was cleared, they heard someone call for a medic and that Regina was seriously injured. They left the station and went directly to the hospital waiting for them to arrive.

In their haste they forgot to bring the radio so when it took so long for the ambulance to arrive they were worried that Regina didn't make it. When they pulled the gurney out, they ran to her and Zelena grabbed her hand. "Regina, Regina." Then she looked to the paramedic. "Is she all right? Is she going to make it?"

"She lost a lot of blood but she was awake and speaking but we had to sedate her because she wouldn't stay still, she was causing herself harm."

All three women sighed with relief; they knew their friend and sister. She was a fighter and she would pull through this.

"I'm sorry ladies, we need to get her inside please stand back. The doctor or nurse will keep you updated."

"Sorry, yes." Zelena said as she let go of her sister's hand. "I love you Sis, you stay strong!"

Once the doors close, the three women were about to go inside when Belle asked, "Where's Emma?"

It was then they heard another set of sirens and a second ambulance came up the ramp to the emergency doors. Staying out of the way the three women step back as the attendants pull out their gurney from the back of the truck.

"That's not Emma, that's...that's the hit man!" Zelena gasped then went right up to the gurney. "Is he alive? Is this son of a bitch going to make it?"

"He's been shot and has lost a lot of blood, we need to get inside please move aside."

"He's been trying to kill my sister and she's in there now badly hurt because of this man. Should you even be trying to save this monster?"

"Zelena, stop c'mon let's go inside and see about Regina okay? Come on now." Ruby said taking Zelena gingerly by the arm and pulling her away from the gurney.

So many things happened when the man pulled the trigger. Was this what happened after you died? Did you still hear things that were going on around you? Should she open her eyes and see herself lying on the ground? Did she want to see that? Not really, who wanted to see their head blown apart? Not her, so she kept her eyes closed waiting for whatever. Judgement? Placement? Absolutely nothing?

She wasn't a religious sort, her parents took her to church and Sunday school but once the teenage years came and her insecurity with her sexual orientation she stopped going to church. If they were going to condemn her for being gay then why go? So now here she was dead and had no clue what was going to happen next. Is there a heaven or hell? She supposed that if there's one there should be the other. Balance is always a good thing.

Regina balanced her; she made her feel like she could do anything even though she felt like an idiot. Regina was strong, resilient and smart. She got them from the hospital to safety while suffering in pain. She kept calm when Mike showed up and knew how to sneak about town in the middle of the day. Christ, she even talked back to the man who stabbed her and wanted her dead. She was fearless.

But was Regina alive? If she didn't make it would they meet, would they see one another? Maybe they could go out on a dead date, if that was even a thing. She really shouldn't have watched so many zombie shows. Oh shit, would she become a zombie? Regina would still be sexy if she were a zombie, that much she was sure of.

God was that woman ever sexy. That smirk when she knew she was right, you just wanted to kiss it away. Kiss, she sure could kiss too. What couldn't this woman do? Oh even when she would say Miss Swan, mmm that always sounded so naughty and ... Oh fuck, oh shit, is this a test? Are thoughts heard and judged? Are they checking to see what you think about right after you die to decide if its heaven or hell? Crap! Crap, crap, crap!

Her head hurt, she didn't think she would feel pain. Would this always be a huge-ass headache for eternity? Is this what hell is like? Oh shit, is this hell? She really should open her eyes and check out her surroundings she just didn't want to see her dead self on the ground or where ever. Knowing you've been shot in the head is one thing but seeing it, no way!

She still remembered everything. She remembered her baby, her sweet Henry. She hoped he remembered how much she loves him, loved him? No, loves him. She still loves him whether she's alive or not. He was the best thing that she had ever done. Of course the two most important things in her life she did while drunk. Getting pregnant and married, she would never drink again! Well she can't now but if she ends up in heaven, no wine for her.

"Ms. Swan? Can you hear me? Ms. Swan? Open your eyes for me; can you do that for me?"

Who is that? No, no this could be a trick, don't open your eyes. Nope don't do it keep them close. It could be judgement time or, or this is hell and Beelzebub is here to take me away. No, no keep your eyes closed and this won't be happening.

"Here Doc let me try, Hey SWAN wake up or I'll throw your ass in jail for impersonating a cop." Agent De Vil hollered laughing when Emma did as she was told, and opened her eyes.

"What the...where am I? Are you dead too De Vil?"

"What kind of drugs did you give her?" The agent asked the nurse who was standing across from her. "Keep giving them to her, will you?"

"De Vil what happened? I thought I was, he was pointing, I heard a shot. My head hurts! Stop laughing at me." Emma warned then raising her hand to her head, she could feel a bandage, and then a bit of pain, she pulled her hand away.

"Yes, you were shot but only a graze, Detective Prince pushed you down when Knight fired on the other man. You fell and hit your head on the lawn chair. Prince is beside himself thinking he killed you instead of the ones who were paid to."

"Knight? Prince? I...I don't remember. I knew it was going to happen so I just accepted it and closed my eyes. I heard Prince talking to him but I just heard the shot and nothing... then I felt pain and I thought I was dead. I thought I was in some kind of limbo. Shit! I'm alive!"

"And there she is." De Vil quipped.

"Regina! Is she..." Emma started then swallowed hard afraid to ask the question. "Is she all right?"

"She's alive but in surgery, he stabbed her other shoulder but she was lucid enough to save your ass again."

"Say what now?" Emma asked confused beyond.

"She was on the floor bleeding and in and out of consciousness yet somehow she knew you were in trouble and wouldn't stay still for the medics to help her until they got Prince over. She had them looking for you and a damn good thing too."

"She did?"

"She did, you are one lucky woman. There were two assassins to kill you and you're still here. It might be wise to buy yourself a lottery ticket."

"No, I'm not going to buy a lottery ticket; I'm going to ask Regina out on a date!"

Knight and Prince came by the hospital once they were cleared of the shooting; Emma hugged the two men who saved her life. They sat with her telling her what had happened. Prince had seen Knight come up behind John Little and knew he could take the shot but that he was worried for her safety, the guy could have still fired so that was why he kept getting closer to her and tried to talk the man down.

Once he knew it was a lost cause he looked over at Knight, gave him the sign, counted to three, and pushed Emma down hard not realizing the proximity of the wooden chair it knocked her unconscious with a cut on her head.

"I feel really bad Emma, I was just..."

"Saving my life, a knock on the head is totally worth it my friend and De Vil thinks it was an improvement on my intellect."

After taking her statement the guys left, she was to go back to bed and rest but she couldn't stop thinking about Regina. Once the nurse left she did too, finding the brunette's room on the first try, and had been sitting next to her bedside ever since holding Regina's hand willing her to wake up.

It was like déjà vu for Belle and Zelena walking into Regina's hospital room and finding her and Emma both asleep, holding hands.

"I hope those two at least snogged while they were on the run. Actually they had better..."

"Zelena," Regina rasped. "Don't you ever stop?"

"No, at least not until you two shag." Zelena quipped and sat down next to her sister across from the still sleeping Emma. "How are you feeling though, all joking aside? I've been so worried about you. We've all been so worried."

"Well they have me on the good drugs again so I'm feeling fine just tired. Do you know what happened? I don't remember much just a lot of chaos and loud noises."

"The man that has been after you is in this hospital too which I don't like but once he's stable and can be moved they're taking him to a prison hospital I believe. He was shot but he came out of surgery just fine."

"That is disconcerting. I assume he is in police custody and have armed guards around him?"

"He does and so do you and Emma though hers is outside with yours." Zelena said with a smirk.

"What about Blue? Is she okay?" Regina asked.

"Yeah she's fine she was treated in emergency I think they're keeping her overnight in case of complications of whatever drug he gave her and of course blaming you for all of her troubles," Zelena replied rolling her eyes, "As if you were the one who had her drooling over a killer. She's lost the plot that woman."

It was then that Emma woke up a little confused, hearing voices and feeling someone holding her hand. Then remembering where she was when she fell asleep, she smiled and gave the hand a small squeeze.

"Hey."

"Hello, Miss Swan." Regina said grinning so glad to see the woman awake, alive, and well beautiful as always.

Emma smiled at the Miss Swan then thought back to when she thought she was in heaven being judged for thinking naughty thoughts her smile turned into worry enough that Regina and the others became concerned, "Emma are you all right, are you in pain? Do you need the doctor?"

"Huh? Umm yeah no, I'm good sorry I had a stupid thought and I uh yeah I'm good really no doctor needed."

"Well this ordeal hasn't changed her a bit." Zelena jested sitting back down in her chair.

"Yeah, yeah we've been under a little pressure the last few days. I get one moment of..."

"Blondness?" Zelena asked then laughed. "Sorry but you're so easy to play with."

"Thanks."

Belle nudged Zelena and nodded her head towards Regina who had fallen back to sleep. "Maybe we should go so these two can get their rest."

"Yes I think you're right. Emma you have a police officer outside when you go back to your room. You each have one just to let you know unless of course, you're going to stay in here?"

"I'm going to stay as long as they allow it. I don't want to leave her." Emma replied retaking Regina's hand in hers.

"Okay then, we'll be back later on. Get some rest though Emma or the doctors will kick your arse."

Chuckling at the redhead, "I will Zelena. Thank you both for being here."

"So hit man one is in hospital, he made it through his surgery and is waiting for transport, the second hit man is in the morgue, what do we know about him?" De Vil asked once she arrived back to the station after leaving the hospital. She thought about going back to Darling but she wanted to stay close to Swan and Mills just in case. There were already two hit men after Swan who says there won't be another?

"The man in the morgue is John Little and he has a fraternal twin brother Anton Little and his picture along with his rap sheet has been sent to border security across the country as well as airports." Smee answered over the monitor. "While you guys were kicking in doors I was doing some research with Gaston from Scotland Yard and Agent Glinda South from Legal Attaché in London and I believe we know the man with the money, and the mission to kill Emma Swan."

Smee told the agents and detectives what they found on the Little brothers and who they now work for. It was easy to determine who was behind the hiring of the hit men but the why is still unknown. "Is there any proof or evidence that this man is behind all of this? Or is it all circumstantial? We have to have our i's dotted and t's crossed with this." De Vil stated writing the Little brothers names on the board.

It was then De Vil's phone rang and she stopped to answer. "De Vil. Yes, yes I am." She was quiet for a few moments writing down what she was being told. "Well thank you for calling I'll take that information under advisement. Yes I will thank you."

"That was Neal Cassidy and he believes his father is behind the attempted murder of Emma Swan. What do we know about Cassidy? Wasn't he hiding out there while all of this was happening? How close is he to his father?"

"Do you think they're in on it together?" Knight asked bewildered.

"I don't know what to think anymore. This has been one nightmare after another and I'm tired of it. I want this to be over and I want all those responsible rotting in jail. Let's interview Walsh and see what he has to say." De Vil suggested and both Knight and Prince bring Walsh back in to finish their interview.

"So Walsh, before we were interrupted earlier you were going to give us the name of the man who was behind all of this. Who is it?"

"I...I yeah I was but what happened to Emma? Is she all right? Was she hurt?"

"Why? Were you hoping that the killer finished her off? To complete the job you hired him for?"

"What? NO! I told you that I didn't do that. I love her I don't want her hurt in any way! God, okay fine the man who is behind all of this is, who blackmailed me and Glass into doing his bidding is a man who goes by the name Mr. Gold."

"And what kind of proof do you have that this so called Mr. Gold is behind all of this?"

"I...well he came to me, y'see the first time he came to me he wanted me to ruin Emma's career but I wouldn't do that. Then he offered to...um he ah..."

"What Walsh? We know you're far from innocent in this so do yourself a favour and start telling us the truth about everything."

Walsh knew he wouldn't get out of this without going to jail so he started talking telling the detectives about the marriage, how Gold coerced Glass about the insurance policies. The man was evil and he blackmailed them into doing his bidding.

Walsh talked for hours about every detail and it was up to the agents to find enough evidence to support these claims to put this man away for life. Smee received a call from Gaston letting him know that Scotland's International Assistance Unit found out that Gold was last seen getting on his private jet hours ago and the plane did not follow the flight plan. They have no idea where he was.