After Graham's sudden death, Emma was the only one at the sheriff's station. She was going to be automatically promoted after two weeks, but her mother appointed someone. Emma wasn't having it and decided to run for sheriff with Gold's help. Regina had fired her daughter. Emma barged into her mother's office. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You are the only one who knew where Henry had been born," Emma shook the paper at her mother.

"Sidney probably found out."

"No, the records are sealed."

"You don't believe me?"

"No," Emma answered.

Regina began walking out of her office, but Emma went after her, "why do you think I would leak that?"

"You've been acting strange ever since Henry got that book."

Regina opened the door to the exit and was thrown backward. "Emma," the woman coughed from the fire and smoke, "are you alright?"

"Yeah," Emma stood, "we have to get out of here."

"Go, I'm right behind you." Regina saw her daughter still standing there, "go!" The mayor reached up for the railing to show Emma that she was going to follow. The sheriff turned and went down the stairs, but Regina stayed behind. Emma had reached the exit down below and realized her mother wasn't behind her. She ran back up and saw the woman lying on the stairs in the same spot.

"Mom!" Emma knelt beside the woman.

"I told you to go," she choked out.

"You also said you were right behind me."

"I need you to get out of here and if you wait for me then you won't." Regina panicked when Emma ran into the burning room, "Emma! Emma!" the blonde came back out after putting some of the flames out. She took her mother's hand and helped her up. The mayor could hardly walk and Emma had to set her on the ground once they were outside.

Emma had moved out after finding out about Graham and her mother. She moved in with her friend and former teacher, Mary Margaret. Regina had a sprained ankle from the fire, so Emma decided to check on her when she hadn't heard from her mother in three days. She knew her mother was taking her and Henry moving out quite hard. When Emma walked into the kitchen, she saw her mother struggling to get around, "want some help?"

Regina jumped and turned around, "what are you doing here?" she asked softly.

"It's been a few days and I thought I'd check on you. Plus I've heard you haven't been to the office."

"I've been working from home."

"Where's your cane?"

Regina sighed, "I'm fine."

"Is that why you're hunched over and clinging to everything near you? How many times have you fallen since I moved out?"

"Emma," Regina groaned.

"How many?"

Regina sighed, "just a few." The mayor had never been great about using her cane when she needed it and she was even worse about asking for help. "How have you been? How's living with Mary Margaret?"

"Everything's good," Emma answered and noticed the disappointment on her mother's face.

"It's in my bedroom closet."

"Do you want me to help you sit first?"

"Yes," Regina answered softly as she looked down. Emma walked over and took her mother's arm. She helped the woman to the couch and went upstairs to retrieve the cane. Emma returned and sat with her mother. "I told Sidney to print the story."

"I know," Emma said.

"I'm so sorry."

"Are you going to tell me what has you so messed up right now?"

"I can't," she answered, "I'm not ready."

"Why don't I stay here and help you until you're better?"

"That's sweet, but I'll be fine."

Emma was furious with her mother when she found out about the curse and after Regina had almost unintentionally killed Henry. After the mob left the house, Emma let her mother have it. "I can't believe I kept defending you. I can't believe how hypocritical you were when raising me. All the times I rebelled never involved killing someone by ripping their heart out."

"Emma, I didn't know how to tell you."

"You tell me," she said, "that's how."

"I'm sorry for hurting you..."

"Are you sorry for hurting everyone else?" her mother was silent, "didn't think so. You almost killed my son because you wanted to stop me from breaking the curse. You were going to put me under a sleeping curse so I didn't break the dark curse because you knew that when I found out every evil thing you did, that you would lose me."

"Emma, please..."

"No, I don't want to hear it." Emma began to walk away, but stopped and turned. "Answer one question for me," she said, "did you kill Graham? Did you crush his heart?" The mayor was silent, "I was really hoping I was wrong. Good-bye, Regina." Emma turned and left with Henry. Snow and David followed leaving Regina in a state of shock.