Emma lunged forward surprising the witch resulting in a nice gash on her arm, this angered her. With a quick flick of her wrist a bookshelf slid across the carpet smacking into Emma, knocking her to the ground. Realizing she was way out of her depth in this fight Emma instincts kicked in and her shield came up without much thought, like a reflux. Now they were stuck in a standoff waiting for the cavalry to arrive. Emma just hoped she could stall long enough. Her heart knew someone was coming, that her family would find her. For the first time in her life in a moment of crisis believing it would be ok. Just this fact gave Emma strength knowing even in moments like this, she was never truly alone. Now it was time to get some answers while she waited.
"Why did you bring me here, because it wasn't just to unlock the door?" Emma yelled.
"It's simple, I want revenge" The witch replied with a shrug, as she did the wound on her shoulder healed over. Whatever the witch took back from Regina was powerful she'd only ever seen the dark one heal like that before.
"What because I saved the twins" Emma replied assuming this was about the incident that occurred when she first arrived in Storybroke.
"Not you, your more like a weapon I can use "The witch replied.
"What?" Emma said annoyed at why she was being so cryptic.
"Why are you so surprised that's all you are to all of them, did you think Regina would be any different, did you think she cared" The witch said excited this is what she had been waiting for.
Knowing that simply killing Regina would be too easy, no she wanted her to suffer. For those who believed in Regina to lose hope and right now the only person that really did, was Emma. After she used the witch never intending to come through on her promises.
"So, this is what this is all about, you hate Regina?" Emma questioned unimpressed as most people did.
"Why is that such a surprise, she was my partner until, I was no longer of use then I was just cannon fodder" The witch spat. "And now she will know the pain of being defenceless, hated"
"Leave Regina alone" Emma said getting angrier. Knowing that one wrong step could cause Regina to lose the progress she made.
"Well, this is a surprise, the saviour coming to her defence, you're forgetting who Regina really is" The witch replied getting to what she came her for.
Moving over to the corner of the room where a chest rested on a shelf the witch carefully opened it delicately pulling out a dreamcatcher. Taking her time knowing all Emma could do was wait. Hoping someone would come to her aid before her strength ran out and the shield fell. The witch didn't seem bothered so happy to be here after months of planning organising the rally to occupy the David, stealing the shapeshifting potion from Rumpelstiltskin all for this moment. Now she was here she would take her time and enjoy it.
"I saw you two together last night, like two old friends" The witch said having been lurking around for a while following Regina.
"Regina's changing, I've seen it myself" Emma said exasperated.
"No no no dear, you haven't seen anything yet" The witch replied with a grin.
The witch walked over closer to Emma reaching the edges of her barrier, dreamcatcher in hand. With a smirk waving her hand over it to reveal an image, a memory. It was Regina only she wasn't alone standing there across from her in this very room was the blind witch. Emma was encapsulated by it. Not able to look away, from the tragedy about to unfold in front of her eyes.
"What's the holdup kill the believer and it's over" The witch said hand a glowing heart over to a delighted Regina. Thinking she'd won that this would stop any hope of breaking the curse.
"He was never supposed to be a part of the curse, a nobody won't even be remembered by anyone except the saviour" Regina exclaimed thinking the heart she held belonged to Killian. Emma felt like numb, just the thought of Killians death.
Emma couldn't bare it, she wanted to stop it from happening. All she could hear was the heartbeat coming from the glowing heart Regina now held in her hand, like it was pounding in her ears. Emma wanted to just reach out and take the heart. Maybe she could still save peter from this horrible fate.
Without a moment's hesitation Regina crushed the heart destroying Emma's hopes. There was nothing she could do, after all this was just a memory. Regina Brushed the dust of her hands like they were mere crumbs and not the remains of a life she just took. Regina looked so happy believing she had won, that the fight was over.
"So, you'll do as promised?" The witch asked Regina longingly. Then image faded away back the being a plain yellow dreamcatcher.
Emma didn't even realise she was crying until she felt a tear dropping onto her shirt. Taking her out of the moment seeing the look of glee on the witch's face. Knowing she had accomplished her goal in breaking the bond Emma had made with Regina. This being the first time Emma really saw her as the evil queen. Taking a life so carelessly and with pride.
The shield may protect her physically, but the blind witch knew how to hit where it hurts. Reminding Emma that Regina had killed one of her friends, not long ago. Not to mention her intention was to eliminate Killian. To break Emma's spirit so the curse would remain and the residents of Storybroke would be stuck forever. It was like Regina was two separate people. The women who saved Emma protected her and was there when she needed, was also a cold-hearted killer.
"That is, remarkable" The witch said smiling she tapped her finger on the shield looking at it with like Emma was an attraction at a zoo.
Emma's pain after seeing her friend murdered right in front of her caused the shield to do something knew. It flared up letting off sparks zapping the witch who jumped back alarmed. Then found her composure continuing her monologue.
"Regina was done with me, she forgot about our deal and kept my power locked away, she'll get done using you to" The blind witch announced.
"If you really believed that why did you bring me here, you knew I could open the door, you knew hurting me, would hurt Regina, because she cares" Emma yelled back angry.
"I'm just trying to help dear; I saw you two last night, thick as thieves" The witch said trying to act innocent.
"Did you forget she crushed your friends' heart, all the while thinking it was your beloveds" The witch continued.
"Stop it" Emma yelled putting her hands over her ears shutting her eyes. Trying to block out the pain but she couldn't it was raw it was real, and she couldn't ignore it.
"Not to mention the long list of grievances your own parents have with Regina" The witch added knowing she had done just enough to end any relationship that was growing with the pair.
"I don't need you to tell me my family's history, I know" Emma said and as those words left her lips, she heard footsteps in the foyer.
"Emma" David yelled desperate and out of breath.
"I'm in here" Emma called out.
Emma smiled looking up at the witch relieved that help had arrived letting out a deep breath. Emma knew her father would find her it was only a matter of time. The shield only got stronger in that moment the witch quickly went it attack mode changing her stance. David entered swiftly sword in hand, but the witch was almost as fast sending the large marble dining table flying towards him. It slid across the floor gaining momentum flipping upwards, David barley leaped out of the way before it could crush him. Emma moved towards David to help but he was fine quickly getting to his feet, determined swinging his sword ready to fight.
"Emma are you alright?" David asked confused not recognising the women, but she did match the description Killian gave.
"You're too late" The witch said raising her arms and with that gesture, the window behind her started to shake, then shatter.
The pieces of glass flying towards David, like a thousand daggers. Seeing David standing there unprotect Emma felt a surge of power. Before the glass could make any impact Emma's shield expanded so it encompassed David as well. Just as the glass pieces were about to slice him through. They ricochet off the shield shattering onto the marble floor.
This surprised the witch and she hesitated, just the thing that David needed he leaped forward with his sword slicing her arm. The blood dripping down her hand onto the floor. The witch screamed in agony clinching her fists, willing the books and ornaments around the room to take flight. They began flinging towards at David from every direction. David sliced at them trying his best not to get hit, but he was still getting pummelled. Emma took a step forward, but David warded her off with his hand. Looping around the remaining chairs left scattered, he struck the witch on the head rendering her unconscious. The chaos suddenly stopped as her body feel to the floor and so did everything else, including David.
Emma dropped the shield immediately running over to her father no longer needing the protection. Surprised to hear him wincing on pain, Emma kneeled beside him. Placing her hand on his upper right side, it was already wet with blood.
"No" Emma said realising one of the pieces of glass had managed to pierce his chest after all.
David looked up at Emma a smile on his face happy to see she was ok. He tried to sit up, but the pain shot through his body like a red-hot iron, and he winced. Panic overcame David realising this was little cut was deeper than he first thought. A cold fever washed over him, and he sunk back down onto the carpet now struggling to catch his breath.
"I'll get help" Emma said in shock, looking around the room for a phone.
"I'm sorry" David said grabbing her hand before Emma could get up.
"What?" Emma said confused wondering what he was apologising for as he lay dying.
But it was clear from the look in his eyes what he was trying to communicate. I'm sorry, sorry your hurting Emma. I'm sorry your always in danger, that you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Mostly he was sorry because amongst all that he wasn't there for Emma. That was all he wanted because he couldn't stop this, he couldn't stop any of it. Now David was fading away after they only had such short time together.
"Hey no I'm ok, it's ok, I knew you'd find me" Emma replied with confidence because it was true throughout all this, she knew he'd find her.
"Cause your my dad" Emma finally said.
David looked up at Emma with joy in his eyes, even while taking his last breaths so overwhelmingly happy to finally hear those words from his daughter. Unable to speak as blood swelled up in his lungs, the pain was fading though. Thinking over all the little thing he did just this morning dropping Emma off at school, helping her study, washing the dishes, watching movies all the little moments flooded over him and he was ready to let go.
A sense of healing like some small part of Emma's soul she thought had died out long ago sprung back to life. This feeling washed over her overwhelming Emma and tears streamed down her face onto her hand. As she looked down Emma realised the tears where glowing and just like the shield. Emma knew what this meant, instinct took over. Reaching her hands over her father's wound still gushing blood Emma gently placed them down and a blue aura erupted out of her hands pulsating. Spreading throughout David's body. Slowly the colour returned to his checks and the gash across his torso healed over in seconds.
"Emma how?" David said amazed and in awe as the pain was gone now feeling his chest but there wasn't even a scar just a blood-stained shirt remained of the incident that almost took his life.
"I don't how, I just did" Emma replied.
"Your amazing" David said in complete awe of his daughter.
David didn't say anything wrapping his arms around Emma, he just held her for a moment relieved to have her safe in his arms. Looking around he felt bad seeing the destruction caused in Regina dining room after what she did today. However, this would just need to be added to the list of things he needed to do, the top of that list being getting back to his wife.
"Where's mom, is she ok?" Emma asked concerned the blind Witch never revealing what she did to her.
David took a moment to answer surprised again to hear those words from Emma and she said them so casually like she done it a million times before. Emma's face quickly changed looking concerned as David took too long to answer.
"The others are helping her, she's strong she'll be fine" David said reassuringly as possible, not sure if she would wake.
Quickly standing up he gave Emma a tight hug once more, happy to be back to himself. David felt better than he had in years. It felt so right so peaceful in his arms now Emma wondered why she waited so long to say those words. Now she just wanted to see her mother again tell her how much she cared. It was a desperate burning feeling she needed to find her.
"It's just when I realised that Witch wasn't her, I thought" Emma started to say she might be dead, but couldn't speak the words out loud.
"We'll find her" David said putting his arm around Emma's shoulder as they walked out together.
"We just need to find Killian first, I kind of sent him the wrong way" David said feeling guilty, but he just wanted to keep Killian safe, keep them all safe.
"Overprotective much" Emma said as they walked out together but it wasn't with her usual snark but appreciation and humour.
They quickly found a frustrated but appreciative Killian outside after realising he'd been sent on a wild goose chase. Came back around to the front just in time for the pair to walk out the door all his annoyance faded as soon as he knew Emma was alright. David decided he would carry the unconscious Witch back to the station so they can at least lock her up. Not wanting to leave another enemy with a chance to come back for seconds. With no car the trip was tiring especially with Killians injury. Emma had briefly tried and failed to heal Killians leg and make their journey easier. despite these setbacks four off them made there way back to the Sheriff's station as fast as they could. Emma at the head of the pack desperate to be reunited with her mother.
Notes: Thanks for continued support and reviews, next chapter Regina uses some dangerous magic to wake Mary Margaret.