Read~Review~Enjoy

Chapter 6

Regina gasped as the shrill ring woke her up. She'd only been asleep an hour or two and had expected to be woken up by Emma, not the phone. She grabbed it and moved to the chaise chair in her room. "Hello?" She half whispered.

"Regina, we got him." Zelena said. "But he got Snow first. He shot her and I couldn't…there was only so much my magic could do."

Panic filled Regina. Snow couldn't be dead. "What are you saying? Is she dead?" She winced as she saw Emma start to wake up.

"No, she's not dead, but she is at the hospital. They called Mal in to heal her, so she'll be okay, but I thought you should know, that Emma should know."

"And Jackson?" At that, Emma sat up, looking at her wife.

"He tried to shoot himself after shooting Snow, but his gun jammed. He's locked up…Regina, it took everything inside me not to snap his neck. I still think I should go back and do it."

"Where is he locked up? Where we discussed?"

"Yes. In the cell in your vault. Regina, can Emma come to the hospital?"

"Yes…well I'll talk to her. Thank you, Zelena." Regina hung up and wasn't surprised to see Emma right in front of her.

"They found him?" Her face was white and her eyes wide.

Regina pulled Emma down into her lap. "They did. He's locked up, but…he…your mom is in the hospital."

Emma's eyes instantly filled. "No! No, why?!" She tried to get up, but Regina held onto her. "It's my fault! It's all my fault!"

"It's not, baby and we'll go see her, but you need to calm down." She sent calming waves through to Emma who was sobbing.

"W…what did he do to her?" Emma asked through her sobs.

Regina looked up and saw Henry in the doorway. "What's going on?" He asked, concern etched in his face.

Regina gestured for him to come in and he did. "Your grandmother is in the hospital. Jackson has been caught and is locked in the cell in my vault until we decide what to do. Apparently, he shot at Snow and Zelena's healing powers couldn't fully heal her, so they called Maleficent in. Mal can heal anything other than death, so she will be okay."

"Why didn't they kill the bastard?" Henry asked, making Regina wince. "I'm sorry mom, but seriously. He should be dead."

Regina sighed, holding Emma still. "We're going to discus that, Henry. We want Emma to have a say in this. In the meantime, if Emma feels up to it, can you watch Chloe so we can go to the hospital?"

"Of course. She's sleeping anyway." Henry said, looking at Emma. "Ma? Are you okay?"

Emma had a far-off look to her, and her eyes slowly moved to Henry. "I'm…I'm okay. Just taking everything in." She looked at Regina. "I want to kill him, Regina. I know your mom and Zelena said it will change me, but I don't care. I want him to hurt; I want him to suffer and I want to be the one causing him pain."

Though it pained her to hear Emma talk like this, she fully understood. "We'll talk about it, Emma, and I promise I won't let your wants and feelings go unnoticed, but right now, I think we need to go see your mom. Even though she'll be okay, you should go see her."

Emma nodded and wiped at her face, slowly getting up. "Yes. I want to see her and tell her how sorry I am."

"Ma, this isn't your fault." Henry sighed and went to Emma, his hands on her shoulders. He was taller than her now and he looked her in the eyes. "You have to stop blaming yourself for things that he did. You didn't tell him to shoot grandma and you didn't tell grandma to go after him. None of this was in your control."

Emma started crying again and felt Henry's arms around her. "I can't help it Henry. I know you're trying to help me but you don't understand. You can't understand, and that's okay."

"Emma honey, he's right though. It's not your fault."

"Everything is my fault!" Emma yelled, though she didn't mean to. She stepped back from Henry, anger filling her. "He told me! He told me every day how everything was my fault! It was my fault that I was even there! If I wouldn't have been so nice to him, he wouldn't have taken me. If I wouldn't have fought him, he wouldn't have beat me. If I weren't so stupid, I wouldn't have been caught. If I would have just stayed there, my mom wouldn't be in the hospital. It's all my fault!"

"Oh sweetheart, no." Regina said, pulling Emma to her. "I know he told you that and drilled all that into you, but we are here to tell you that's not true. Let's get dressed and go to the hospital."

Emma nodded, trying to calm down. "I'm sorry, Henry. I didn't mean to get so upset."

"It's okay, Ma. You're right, I don't understand, but I'm trying. I'm really trying to help and not make things worse for you."

Emma hugged him tight. "You're not making things worse. Are you sure you don't mind listening out for your sister? I mean…can I call her your sister?"

"She is my sister, Ma, and yes, I'm sure. Tell Grandma I love her."

"I will. Thank you."

Henry left and Emma got dressed in silence, Regina doing the same. Regina turned and stroked Emma's cheek. "It will get easier, Emma. I know you're probably sick of hearing this, but it takes time."

"I know. I am sick of hearing it, but I know it's true. I just have so much going through my head right now." She looked at Regina, her face raw and vulnerable. "I know he's in your vault, but can you please magic us there?"

"Yes, but first, let me just…you're all wound up, baby." Regina said, holding her hands up. Emma nodded and linked her fingers with Regina's, letting her magic run through her. Emma took a deep breath and her heart slowed down to a normal pace.

"Thank you."

"You're most welcome."

They appeared in the waiting room and Emma saw Zelena, David, Cora and Ruby all out there. Emma went to David and hugged him. "How is she?"

"She's going to be fine, Emma. Maleficent assured us of that and if there's one thing I've learned it's that she is an amazing healer."

"But healing things like this is hard."

"It's hard for me and even sometime Regina because our magic was based on darkness. Mal essentially is magic and her reputation was worse than her truth." Zelena explained. "Maleficent will heal her just like she did you."

Emma nodded, looking between them. "And Jackson?"

"He's locked up, Emma. He tried to shoot himself, but his gun jammed. It took everything within us to not kill him." David stated.

Emma's fists clenched. "I want to do that. I know you've all tried telling me not to, but I want to."

Cora came over and put her hands on Emma's shoulders. "I know you do, but please let us all discuss it. I'm not invalidating your feelings or wants, but please let us all discuss it when everyone is well again."

Emma took some deep breaths. "Fine."

"David? Emma? She's asking for you." Maleficent called and smiled softly seeing Emma. "Your mother is just fine." She cupped her cheek. "Oh sweetie, you could use some special soul healing. I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before, but you come see me soon, okay?"

Emma had no idea what Maleficent was talking about, but she trusted her, so she agreed. "Can I go see her now?"

"Of course." Maleficent led them to Mary's room and opened the door, stepping back. "She'll be released to go home soon."

David rushed over to the bed and kissed his wife. "How are you feeling, Snow?"

"I'm fine. David, really, I'm fine. Maleficent was amazing and I feel like it never happened." She looked over and held her arms out. "Oh, Emma. I wish they wouldn't have called you."

Emma went and held onto her mother, letting out sobs. "I'm so sorry, mom. I know you don't agree, but I know it's my fault and I'm sorry. He hurt you to get to me."

"And it didn't work, my darling daughter. All it did was get him locked up and I'm alive and fine." She wiped at Emma's tears. "This is not your fault. I understand why you think it is, but it's not." She kissed Emma's forehead. "We have him, Emma. We have him and you're safe and will remain safe from now on."

"And you're really okay?"

"Yes. I swear, I'm okay."

"She's great." Dr. Whale said, coming in. "She can go home any time."

"Then let's go." David said, getting up.

Snow dressed in the clothes Regina had brought with magic and the group met out in the parking lot. Emma hugged herself, trying hard not to feel vulnerable in the open.

"Are you okay?" Regina whispered.

Emma just nodded, not wanting that attention right now. "When do we decide about Jackson."

"In the morning. It's very late and though I feel fine, I'm tired." Snow said. "And you look tired. Let's have a good night's sleep and we'll discuss it in the morning."

They all agreed and once home, Emma checked on Chloe as Regina went to Henry to tell him they were back. The two got into bed and Emma curled up with Regina. "I'm so tired."

"Me too. Let's sleep and our minds will be clearer in the morning."

"I still will want to kill him."

"I know."

"Regina, please don't try and stop me."

"I won't, love. Others may, but I won't."

Emma was so exhausted, she didn't have nightmares that night. The next morning, they all met at the mansion; Regina, Emma, Snow, David, Maleficent, Cora, and Zelena all sat around the table in dining room, food around them, but no one really eating.

"Emma, I get that you want this…"

"No, mom, I need this. I know you all don't want me to do it, but I have to. I have to see him suffer and I need to be the one making him suffer."

"Emma, it will change you." Cora said softly.

Emma hit the table. "He already changed me! I can barely go outside without having a panic attack! Mal may have taken away my physical scars, but I don't think the mental ones will ever go away. The memories will never vanish, the hate and anger I have for him will never go away. I still don't have my magic, I fucking cry all the time, I need to hurt him! I need to hurt him like he hurt me!"

Snow and Regina wiped at their eyes and Cora let out a soft sigh. There was so much she wanted to say, but she knew it wouldn't make a difference. Maleficent, however, put her hand over Emma's. "And then what? What happens after you hurt him, after you kill him? Will your memories go away? Your mental scars, will they be healed? That hate and anger, will that vanish too?" She squeezed Emma's hand. "I can tell you right now that none of that will happen. You'll still have all of that, but you'll also have a new darkness inside you and, simply because you're you, guilt. I know you don't believe me, but you will feel guilty for what you did."

Emma clenched her jaw, trying so hard not to cry. "I will not. How could I feel guilty for that?"

"Because you're pure." Zelena said softly. "Because that's the kind of person you are. You're such an amazing woman and Emma, we don't want you living with that guilt. We all understand your need and want to hurt him, but please just try to listen to what we're saying."

"Let's say I do listen, and I don't go and hurt and kill him. What happens? I can't do a fucking trial; I can't do knowing he's alive even if he's in a cell."

"Neither can we." David assured her. "I know we live by this worlds rules here, so we've decided to take him to Oz where they're laws are different. He did his crime there, that's where he does his punishment."

"And in Oz, punishment for kidnapping, torture, rape, and stealing from me is death."

"How?"

"How?" Zelena asked.

"How will he die? Will it be painful?"

"Yes. Actually, you can decide which way he dies." Zelena stated. "We can do the more humane beheading or hanging, or we can get creative. We can feed him to the Kalidahs. They're beasts with the bodies of a bear and the head of a lion. Most are tame now, but they do keep a couple wild ones for these purposes. Or, we can feed him to the Yoop. He's a fierce cannibal giant who's imprisoned in a mountain cave in Quadling country. He's been locked up for years and has only had six ants and a monkey to eat, so I'm sure he's pretty hungry."

Emma looked at Zelena oddly. "I…I read about them – those creatures." She blinked a few times. "Can I watch? I'm sorry if that sounds morbid, but I need to see him die."

"Yes." Regina answered, she had to give Emma this because it seemed the blonde was finally stepping back from wanting to do this herself. "But if you're going to watch, may I suggest we do the hanging or beheading. I know the other…things…sound better, but do you really want to add those images to your memories?"

"Yes. Yes I do." Emma said and then sighed, putting her head in her hands. "Maybe? Okay, no not really. I think I do, but I know I don't. I just…I don't know."

"You think you want to see him suffer. Emma, we get it." Cora said softly. "I think Regina is right though; I don't think you want to watch that."

"This is going to sound stupid, I get that, but after…after he's dead, can I still crush his heart? Just…just to be sure? And to feel like I finally fought back?"

Large tears clung to Emma's eyelashes and Maleficent wiped at them. "I think that would be a good thing. Once he's dead, you can crush his heart and that's your way of showing yourself that you won without killing him."

They all murmured agreement and discussed their options. "I think beheading is honestly the best way to go. With hanging, it can…well it can take time. It's not always instant." Regina stated, remembering some hangings that took hours to be done.

"Then let's do it." Emma said, wiping her face and giving a nod. "Today."

"Do you want to talk to him?" David asked softly, much to Snow's dismay.

Emma shook her head. "Not alone. Maybe once he's prepped, but I don't even want to see him until he's in the guillotine."

"Okay, then we'll go now and Regina, bring Emma in about fifteen minutes. The mirror in your vault will work."

Everyone but Emma, Regina, and Mal left. "If you two don't mind, I'm going to stay here. Emma needs a soul healing and I want to prepare for it. Regina, may I see what's in your garden?"

"Of course. Between yours and mine, you should have everything you need."

Mal was more of a natural witch and used plants, oils, and various parts of nature to do her work. Emma knew this, but still rubbed at her arms. "Will it hurt?"

"Not physically in the way most refer to hurt. It may make you cry from emotion, but in the end, you'll feel better. It will help you heal, my child, and it's good for you."

"Okay." Emma stated, agreeing. She then went to the living room and took Chloe from Henry, sitting by him. "Do you want to come with? Mal is staying here, and I'm sure she'd watch Chloe for us. It's completely okay if you don't want to, but I don't want you to feel left out."

"I don't know." Henry admitted. "Part of me does, but part of me doesn't want to see it."

"I understand. Why don't you stay here then?"

"You'll be okay?"

Emma smiled softly and took Henry's hand to kiss it. "Yes. You don't mind watching your sister?"

"Not at all. Go, mom. Go get the bastard."

Emma kissed Chloe and stroked her face before handing her back to Henry. "I will, kid." She ruffled his hair before going back out to Regina.

"Ready?" Regina asked her.

"Yes." Emma said, taking her hand.

Once in Oz, Emma felt her skin itching and rubbed at her arms. She didn't understand the feeling at all. "It's because this is where he drained your magic." Cora stated, basically reading Emma's mind.

"He what?" Emma asked.

"Zelena got that out of him today. He not only restricted your magic but drained it. I've found it and when we get home, we will get it back inside of you.

Emma saw something from the corner of her eye and smiled as she turned to look. "It's you." She held her hand out and the sprite landed in it. "Thank you for everything you did for me and my baby."

"You're most welcome, Princess. I do not condone death, but this is one I am happy to witness. Come back any time, Princess Emma, you will always be welcomed." With that, the creature bowed and flew to sit up in a tree.

"Craig Jackson, you are guilty of atrocious crimes against a member of Royalty from another realm." Zelena stated to the crowed that had gathered. She listed off his crimes and Emma glared at the man in the guillotine. He was staring right back at her and it pissed Emma off. "Emma, did you want to say anything before his punishment?"

Everyone looked at her as she stepped closer. She had a whole lot she wanted to say, but what was the point? The way he was smirking at her only proved nothing she said would matter. Instead, she smirked right back at him. "I won." Zelena smirked and then gave the signal and many winced or looked away, but Emma watched the entire thing. He was dead. Her capturer, tormentor, rapist was dead.

Zelena reached into his chest and took out his heart, handing it to Emma. "It's not glowing because he's dead, but Emma, do it. Give him that final punishment."

Emma looked at it and grit her teeth, crushing the heart to dust in her hands. She let out a gut-wrenching scream and then yelled at him. "I won! You may have broken me, but I fucking won! Do you hear me, you bastard? I'm alive and you're not! I will fucking survive!" Tears were flowing and Emma let go of the dust. "I won." She hoarsely whispered.

a/n: while this may be the end of Jackson, it is not the end of the story. Emma needs to heal and go through her own things and we will be along for the journey. This isn't a quick, okay 'villain is gone, we're all good now' kind of story. Now we see if things can be like before or if it's all too much for our lovely ladies.