Even though her memory was hazy, having been smacked on the head awfully hard. Emma managed to recount the story of what happened to her while they others were gone. They wanted to know every detail from completing the spell, getting taken by Emily. That part of the story left pits in the stomachs of everyone as Emma wasn't sure exactly what happened, they wondered if Emily was still out there. Emma explained them when Regina showed up, she wasn't even awake and doesn't know how she stopped Emily but that her magic was back. Recounting how Regina even managed to teleport them to the mausoleum where she offered Emma aid that saved her life, not long before everyone else showed up.
The talked and laughed together making they made their way back into town. Emma realised that although the vial of potion she drank saved her life it gave her a bit too much energy. As the entire town slowly awoke from the dark place they had been, putting the pieces together wanting to head home to bed, Emma was still wide-awake. Noticing her energy was not matching everyone else's didn't bother her much as they moshed into Granny's diner for a late-night feast and celebration. After finally being free of the creature and reunited with their loved ones. The atmosphere around the streets had completely changed no longer filled with dreed, everyone knowing that the world would keep turning they could rest well.
"You sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" Mary Margret asked Emma after they found a spot to sit.
"I feel great" Emma replied, trying not to sound to frustrated but the reaction received from knowing it was a potion handed down from Regina that keep Emma conscious was a sore topic. It filled them with anxiety, and this was about the sixth time she had been asked.
"Emma, what you did for everyone" David paused in awe "It was amazing, but it must have taken a toll" David continued to press not just questioning the physical but emotional consequences od what she just went through.
"I promise, I feel better than ever" Emma replied swinging around on a stool by the bench with a smile.
They excitement she felt that everyone was here that they were ok was being misconstrued to make them think something was wrong. That underneath the smile was overwhelming anxiety that would eventually breakthrough in the worst way. Emma tried to reassure them she was ok saying it so much she believed it herself. They couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that came with her rescuer not able to trust Regina's intentions or even understand why she did, what she did. Truthfully, there was a tinge of jealousy about how it all unfolded. Once again Emma and Regina had shared something together a moment, they never had. Both feeling guilt and anger because they were unable to be there for their daughter when she needed them most. The one person they least expected was Emma's saviour, it was bittersweet.
"There you are" Graham announced with relief as he walked into the diner towards David deflating with relief that everyone had returned.
"Do you need my help?" David asked seeing Graham looking a little strung out.
"I've got it under control, for now" Graham said with a big wide smile so happy that it was over so terrified all was lost.
"Well, if your ok then I think I'll stay here" David said gesturing towards the diner and his family.
"Yes of course stay with your family" Graham instructed his deputy.
They exchanged a quick goodbye before Graham headed back out trying to keep track of the many faces now returned home. Planning for clean up of the town this awaking something in him a promise to himself to do more for the town, get things back to working order. So, there aren't forced to leave the saving to teenagers.
"Special order, for our hero" Red said handing over a grilled cheese sandwich to Emma.
"Thanks" Emma said relieved not just for the well needed calories but to bring any further discussion about her current state. It worked as they began to stuff their faces everyone was a little more at ease the food bringing warmth and comfort to the group.
Elsa came over grabbing one of Emma's fries enjoying it tremendously she sat down on the stool next to Emma. The pair sat there in silence for a moment enjoying their food. Eventually Elsa's eyes darted towards Mary Margret and David they couldn't take their eyes of Emma even standing less than a metre away in conversation with somebody else. You could see the desperation in the way they moved. Just wanting to take her home and hold her tight like it could make it all better, but they knew it wouldn't. That they didn't hold they kind of power.
"So, how's that going?" Elsa asking referring to the situation.
Emma looked over at Elsa confused having been to focused on eating she didn't even know what she was talking about for a moment her mind racing. Emma just sighed when she realised what Elsa was referring to giving a small shrug.
"Complicated" Emma finally said.
"I noticed the tension earlier, with Regina and your parents" Elsa added.
"I think everyone noticed; I wonder what Liam thinks of all of us" Emma replied thoughtfully wondering if she made a good first impression with the most important person in Killians life.
"Oh, he defiantly thinks where all freaks, imagine the stories Killians telling him right now" Elsa said with a laugh.
"It's amazing though, I wonder how many other lost souls have found themselves in Storybroke main" Emma replied looking up at Elsa now just happy to have her sitting here feeling it was partially her fault she was gone in the first place.
"Must be hard to explain everything" Elsa said remembering how confused Anna was at first not having fake memories of this world like the rest of them./span/p
"Some things are impossible to talk about" Emma replied looking to Elsa still feeling guilty.
"How did you go explaining the Regina situation to your parents?" Elsa asked wanting to prod a little more given the non-response and change of subject to Liam and Killian.
"Oh, it went as you could imagine" Emma replied glumly remembering how she lost it pushing them away once again.
"But it's out now, you told them" Elsa replied trying to cheer Emma up.
"Not exactly, they more found out" Emma replied the guilt about how it all unfolded surfacing again.
"When?" Elsa asked confused.
"Right around the time you got sucked into oblivion" Emma replied.
"Oh right" Elsa replied.
"If I had just dealt with it then maybe.." Emma admitted trailing off.
"Emma you talking to a girl who hid from the world half her life because she was afraid, you don't need to apologise" Elsa said understanding.
"I do, you warned me" Emma paused as the events of the last few days raced through her mind "If I was just honest, we would have figured this all out sooner, but I didn't want to deal, and people got hurt" Emma finished.
"You shouldn't have to deal" Elsa said grabbing her hand knowing they are both too young to have such a weight on their shoulders.
"You're a good friend" Emma said with a smile as they continued to eat.
"I know" Elsa replied somewhat sarcastically.
"But you need to get your own fries" Emma replied with a laugh as she pulled the plate of crispy fried potatoes towards her.
Across the room over by the window Killian was gleaming with joy sitting with his brother as he explained what onion rings were and how they were an important part of the food chain. Mulan was happier than ever, to have the girl she loved in her arms again especially when she could create an instant ice pack for her swollen ankle. Anna had been asleep laying across one of the booths for the last hour after downing a few stacks of Nutella pancakes. Mulan and Elsa discussed how they could carry her home knowing by her vacant expression there was no waking this sleeping princess. While Red was helping Granny in the kitchen not that they were doing much cooking, mostly singing along to the radio loud enough they could hear it all from the dining area.
Making her way in between the different groups Emma started to realise how many people she had around her. The only ones to not leave her side were her parents, even after everything now seemed to be ok. There was still some unanswered questions and fears on their minds they felt the same longing and fear they had just as they did when the curse first broke. However, they managed to stay awake even though they were not just physically strung out but also emotionally exhausted from the events of the last twenty-four hours.
The box full of Emma's case files was still sitting on the back table ignored for the time being, as they enjoyed this moment but eventually the crowd became thinner. The sun started to rise gleaming through the window with only a few left standing or rather sitting.
"Hey" Emma said to Killian seeing him nodding off beside her.
"Hey" Killian replied with a smile just happy to be here with Emma. The moment he disappeared in front of her playing over again in his mind. Killian only hoped he would never be forced to leave her like that again. Knowing the pain that caused by a loss like that can be devastating to a person.
"How's your day been" Emma asked jokingly.
"Oh, pretty good, usual stuff" Killian said through a yawn.
"Usual huh" Emma said eyebrows raised wondering for a moment if Killian had been sucked into a dark void before.
"My girl saving the day, just another Tuesday" Killian replied squeezing his arm around Emma's shoulder.
"It's Thursday" Emma replied with a small giggle. /span/p
"Whatever day of the week it is, your amazing love" Killian replied as Emma leant her head on his shoulder.
Emma giggled awkwardly still not used to the compliments and she was receiving a lot of them now having not only saved the town of Storybook once, but twice. Emma was starting to feel a weight on her shoulders wondering what was coming next, her mind wondering about Lily. Every time the door to the diner swung open, she wondered if it would be her entering. She had run off it was unclear why but wherever it was Emma new one thing she wasn't safe and she wasn't happy.
"Ok its time I accepted my fate" Killian said standing up with a yawn just when Emma starting to feel cosy leaning against him as he sat beside her.
Emma frowned not sure what he meant by this as he made his way over to where Mulan and Elsa where still attempting to poke Anna awake. Not feeling they could carry here out with Mulan's leg in the shape it was.
""What are you doing?" Emma asked confused.
Killian smirked cracking his knuckles before he carefully picked Anna up to carry her out to Mulan's car. Emma stood up from the booth and the rest followed suit more than ready to call it a night they followed him, Granny flicking of the lights as they made their way out.
However, as Killian carefully sat Anna up in the car putting her seatbelt on and Emma hugged her friend's goodbye, she looked over at Anna feeling a sense of shock as the memory of being taken away in the back of Emily's car helpless and alone flashed to the forefront of her mind.
"Emma what's wrong?" Killian asked seeing her expression change as he was about to climb into the car after his brother.
"It's nothing, sorry" Emma answered giving him a goodnight kiss quickly.
"Alright you better get going before Mulan becomes too tired to drive" Emma said as Killian slid into the back squished in next to his brother while Anna slumped over, using Liam's shoulder as a pillow.
"Alright, talk tomorrow" Killian said through the window.
"I think you mean, later today" Emma said with a laugh, as she looked into the sunrise. Killian nodded and Emma tapped the top of the car giving Elsa the signal to go and she watched them safely head home with a smile they all relaxed there no longer terrorised by the idea of being ripped from this world, they could breath again.