As the charming family made their way into the hospital not many words where shared between the three of them. To be busy focusing on their internalised thoughts and fears and just wanting answers about Emma's current state. Seeing their concern doctors quickly got to work taking some blood, checking her temperature and a whole bunch of other tests that didn't seem to show any significant results. As Emma issue wasn't exactly medical related but magical. Emma was feeling more lethargic and wanted to head home everything about this was making her anxious. Just thinking of everyone worrying, she hadn't even told Killian she was at the hospital yet. Not wanting to interrupt any time he got to spend with his brother. Watching David and Mary Margret pace back and forth waiting for the doctor to return was hard enough. Finally, Doctor Whale came back in with a relaxed expression sensing the tension and before they even asked their questions he answered.
"Emma seems fine, physically I mean" Doctor Whale said.
"Seems fine" David Replied frustrated seeing how pale Emma's face was.
"Let's be clear we need to know if any harm, came to this body" Mary Margret added gesturing towards Emma.
"To answer that, I have to know what she drank" Doctor Whale replied.
"We'd like to know that as well, but no one's seen Regina" David replied.
"I don't know how much advice I can give you about what happened to Emma, you might have better luck getting answers from" Doctor whale said before being interrupted.
"Don't even say it" David replied realising he was about to suggest they pay another visit to the Dark one.
"Well, we should probably go there anyway, see what he meant by the deal" Emma said another thing on her mind, she thought this would be a good time to change the subject turns out it wasn't. Emma knew opening her mouth was a mistake as soon as she saw the expression on Mary Margret's face, Emma's metal state was starting to impact her decision making.
"What does she mean by that?" Mary Margret asked David completely shocked almost knocked backwards with despair.
"I had to make a deal, to get the fairy dust" David said, regretting trying to keep that from his wife.
"What?" Mary Margret said shocked the first she'd heard of this.
"I was going to tell you, just been a busy few days" David said apologetically to a somewhat flustered Mary Margret wondering what to be more concerned about at this moment.
"I'll give you guys, some privacy" Doctor whale said leaving the room awkwardly.
"Look I'll be fine; you don't need to worry about this" Emma replied but she couldn't even sit still her leg was jiggling and she could feel her heart racing.
"We can see something is wrong" David replied looking at her leg shaking.
"Whatever it was that made you feel better, is wearing off" Mary Margret added coming over closer to Emma trying to get her to stay seated.
"I just, need to ride it out" Emma replied walking out of the patient room quickly, knowing there was no way she was going to get the help she needed here.
"We have to find out what Regina did to her" David said as they followed her out.
"I know, except we have no idea where Regina is and if she will even help" Mary Margret replied frustrated as they continued through the halls to the exit behind Emma.
Emma felt herself getting more worked up remembering Emily's words, that her parents would be gone soon if not by choice then she would do something to them. Even now as Emma heard the concerned voices of them just behind her, she was too afraid to turn around walking faster and faster. Fearing if she did look back, they wouldn't be there. If Emily were still around, after she spent the last fourteen years hunting after Emma, why would she stop now? Emma thought the panic overwhelming her mind, while her body crashed. Emily would keep coming this was her obsession unless she was truly gone, Emma thought. Her mind racing trying desperately to remember what happened by the town line last night.
All she could recall was a sudden loud noise and Regina's prideful smile in the glow of the headlights, but the memory was fragmented. Suddenly Emma realised she was outside as the automatic doors of the hospital shut behind her Emma realised; she was alone her parents still making their way through the halls. The day felt like it had become night Emma could see Emily standing in front of her, slowly walking towards Emma. With her mind unable to put the pieces of her traumatic experience last night, the past and present started overlapping.
"No, stay away" Emma yelled feeling an overwhelming sense to protect herself.
However, there wasn't much around only a few people getting coffee looking concerned as the commotion unfolded people started to back away from Emma. They could sense the power that was about to explode out of Emma and they didn't want to be a casualty of it. Emma didn't even notice only seeing her worst fears in front of her. She couldn't move paralysed by it. But Emma tried to stay strong she wasn't wounded like last time Emily showed up, she had some fight in her now.
"You can't take me" Emma yelled.
"Emma who are you talking to?" David asked as he and Mary Margret exited the building seeing her standing alone, he looked around warry wondering who was attacking Emma.
"I won't let you hurt them" Emma yelled not realising that what she was seeing wasn't real, hearing her father's voice adding to her fears that they would get hurt as well.
Picturing Emily clearly in her mind walking over with that sly smile, ready to take everything from her again. In that moment, the urge to protect herself overwhelmed Emma. All the internalised fear mistrust and loneliness burst out of her. A white circular barrier appeared around Emma, a line no one could cross. Emma jumped back no realising at first that the light surrounding her had come from within.
At the sight of this more people fled from where they sat out front of the nearby cafes around her not knowing what was going on or if it would harm them. Noticing Emma was not in her right mind. Only one among the came closer, pushing her way through the crowd. She looked concerned realising who it was causing the distress and not hesitating to offer assistance. Regina came over to Emma quickly somewhat nervous she didn't expect to see her again so soon, that excitement quickly faded as she realised that something was very wrong.
"Stay back" David yelled seeing Regina approach, he wasn't ready for any further complications.
"I just want to help" Regina replied.
"You can help, tell us what you gave Emma" Mary Margret yelled back her fears rising noticing Emma's blank expression like she couldn't even see them standing right behind her.
"What do you mean?" Regina replied confused, as what she gave Emma had never had any looming aftereffects before.
"Whatever she drank, there seem to be some side effects" David said getting closer to Emma he reached out to touch the glowing shield only to have it zap him back and he recoiled.
Regina stopped having a chilling realisation that the dose she gave Emma was intended for a fully developed mind and a body of much bigger size. This must have induced a serious high and now followed by a low. The potion doesn't only affect you physically but has a mental impact forcing a calming of the mind. Intended to help you emotionally overcome whatever inflicted pain in the first place. Coming of that high so fast could be life threatening if you are not prepared. Regina realised this now feeling distressed knowing that whatever was happening to Emma now, was partially her fault. Regina kept coming towards them ignoring David's warning not able to leave Emma to suffer.
"I didn't realise, I guess the dose affects her differently given that she's" Regina said.
"A teenage girl" Mary Margret finished.
"Look she'll be fine; it will wear off soon" Regina replied her voice anxious.
"Great, maybe next time think before you give a vial of poison to a child" David replied sensing her lack of confidence in that conclusion.
"I did think, I was thinking if she doesn't drink this, she will die" Regina yelled her voice cracking as she went through that moment again.
"Please stop" Emma called out from in-between them, but the yelling was good it brought her back to reality and the image of Emily was fading.
Holding her hand up to her head trying to dull the pain of her searing headache. Wanting to stay like this as long as she could protected no one could hurt her behind this shield. Alone but safe it was calming behind this wall, even if lonely. Emma could feel her heartbeat slowing she let out a deep breath once more trying to focus on what was real.
he three of them rushed to Emma's side but they couldn't get close to her quickly slowing before injuring themselves. Emma had created a physical barrier between her and everyone else, conjured it up with her thoughts. Frantic her emotions mixed with the aftermath of the potion waring off, she could barely hear them. It just sounded like a lot of yelling echoing around her. Emma Still felt trapped in that terrible moment, not able to fight back losing any agency she had. Feeling an overwhelming urge to push everyone and everything away like she always had but now, it was physical wall between her and everyone else.
"Emma are you hurt?" Mary Margret asked.
"I think what's affecting her more, are her emotions" Regina said.
"We know" David said angry at the fact, Regina felt the need to tell them how Emma was feeling like they didn't know their own daughter.
"Emma, can you hear me?" Mary Margret said not sure what to do, feeling helpless not being able to get close and give Emma comfort.
Emma nodded trying to breath, but it was like a distant voice calling her. Not someone standing beside her. Emma had forgotten where she was the last twenty-four hours were becoming jumbled. Emma's thoughts flashing back and forth between the past and present not sure what was real. Not able to believe she wasn't going to be alone again.
"Who is it, who's doing this?" David asked feeling frantic.
"Emily" Emma responded bluntly confused wondering why they couldn't see her.
"What?" Regina replied confused to, as she knew that Emily was dead but now realised, she had failed to mention that fact to anyone else. In fact the body was still lying out on the road.
"No Emma, she's gone" Regina quickly said.
"She is?" Mary Margret asked looking over at Regina with scepticism trying to read her expression. Regina had said it with such certainty there is only one way she could be, so sure.
You killed Emily" Mary Margret said to Regina realising that all there worrying was for nothing.
"I did, what had to be done" Regina replied smug.
"Emma, did you hear that, she's gone" David said trying to get a response from Emma, but she was still lost in her thoughts.
"She's going to take me away" Emma responded frantically still not listening to them.
"No, no one's ever taking you away again" Mary Margret said firm.
"This is your home" David added referring to them.
Emma wasn't calming down even after she had confirmation that Emily was gone. Realising the noise, she heard when she awoke in the car, was Emily body falling to the ground. It wasn't enough the overwhelming sense to protect herself from pain was still there. Emma had her walls firmly up, not sure how this magic worked or even if she wanted it to stop.
"Emma look at me" Mary Margret said sternly.
Realising Emma was avoiding eye contact knowing that's what brought her out of this state earlier today. After a short pause Emma looked up, right into her mother's eyes she didn't look as scared as before more determined and surer of herself and what she was about to say to Emma.
"I can't promise we'll always be there, obviously we haven't been, but you'll never be alone, not really" Mary Margret said coming closer desperate to reach Emma.
"Even when we were gone you felt us there, you brought us back to you" David said.
"We will always find you" Mary Margret finished.
Emma smiled looking at them both and the shield retracted back inwards. Emma was still physically exhausted knowing that all she needed now was some rest. Emma stood their looking so vulnerable and apologetic having caused such distress sending café patrons fleeing from her.
Looking down at her hands in shock the power she was capable of feeling her with a sense of peace came with this new ability it but also a whole new fear. That the power would overwhelm her, that she would hurt people. Mary Margret took Emma's hand gently signifying to Emma that whatever was to happen they would be there for her next time, that she wouldn't be alone in the dark again. This had a big effect though and Emma squeezed her hand making sure it was real. This was all she ever needed some support and love making tackling new challenges easier. Even if those challenges included an ability to conjure a shield.
"I'm sorry" Emma said seeing the mess and the concern on all three of their faces.
"You didn't do anything wrong; I should have known that there could be side effects" Regina said.
"Regina" Emma said somewhat confused that she was here "It wasn't your fault" Emma said looking up at here with a smile.
Emma was feeling more and more woozy putting her hand up to her head trying to get herself to focus on her blurring surroundings. Noticing she was about to crash, David came to her side letting her fall into his arms, he scooped her up and she rested in his comforting grasp. Regina looked over them wanting to come closer but all the three of them did was exchange glances of concern and contempt.
"Let's get her home" Mary Margret said trying to stray focused on what was important.
"Wait" Regina said remembering she did come her for something else.
David walked off but he didn't have anything to say to Regina and ignored her walking to his car with Emma in his arms. More concerned with getting her home then anything Regina had to say. Mary Margret stayed back however feeling the need to make some things clear. After all, until recently Regina had been behind bars. Now she was able to just roam free like everything she did was forgotten. Realising with everything that has happened with Regina and Emma, not just their history but with the events of the last few days. Regina may think that things had become more of a grey area. Mary Margret needed to reassert to Regina that things where still black and white when it came to any interaction they had. Regina was the one who decided they were enemies after all.
"This isn't happening" Mary Margret said confronting Regina.
"What do you mean?" Regina replied with a smirk.
"It's no coincidence you're here, you were looking for Emma" Mary Margret said knowing she was right.
"I just need to talk" Regina replied frustrated trying to keep herself composed.
"You can talk to me, but you will stay away from her" Mary Margret replied.
"What are you going to do" Regina said with a grin never backing down from a threat especially one from Snow White.
"Anything it takes to protect my family" Mary Margret replied wondering how they could continue to coexist with Regina in the same town.
"I haven't hurt her or is more about the fact me and Emma share a history, have a connection that bothers you" Regina replied.
"One she hasn't even mentioned" Mary Margret replied trying to shrug of the importance of this.
"Why do you think that is?" Regina replied like she knew the answer, but she wasn't really sure herself one of the reasons Regina wanted to talk with Emma. Why couldn't Emma talk about was because she was truly hurt by Regina leaving all those years ago.
Mary Margret had no answer for that she was silent deciding she made her point. It was time to leave. After all the truth wasn't clear they hadn't had really discussed the issue much with Emma it wasn't and easy topic to bring up. The three of them had been avoiding it after Emma's reaction to the case files surfacing in her life. Mary Margret couldn't stop thinking about them still piled up in the back of the diner she wanted more than anything to read every last word and see ever last photo from Emma's life. More than that she wanted to make Emma feel safe, so she left it at that walking away from Regina.
Notes: Hey thanks for reviews, Soo one of the things I guess that kind of bugged me on the show is Emma's powers or lack of, I guess I always thought it would be cool if she had something more specific like a shield.