This is based on a prompt sent by Sky3s_Mommy on Archive. Some parts may seem familiar as I've written similar things both in Teen Savior and (sort of) in Once Upon an Intervention, and even maybe a bit from Working With A Queen, but this is different still. Season 1 is the same, but forget everything after that as this is completely different from the real Season 2.

Also, because I'm sure I'm going to get comments on it. It may seem Emma is weak in this chapter, and in some ways she is. However, remember there is a reason for everything.

***TW for self-harm and verbal abuse throughout this story. If that triggers you, do not read this story***

Read~Enjoy~Review

The Scars We Give Ourselves

Ch.1

It had been four weeks since the curse broke and four weeks since Emma had found her parents. She had her son, her mother, and her father and at first, she was beyond happy. However, that happiness only lasted a matter of minutes. Right away, Emma could tell there was something off. Sure they acted like they were happy to remember her when they were in front of everyone, but once they got to the loft, that all ended. Emma could feel the hate dripping off them and it left her hurt and confused.

Emma Swan had been a strong woman when Henry brought her to Storybrooke. She had hardened herself to the outside world and, in her own way, was happy. After an abusive childhood and sketchy teenage years, she'd learned how to rely on herself. For these reasons, she couldn't understand how it was she was letting these people change her and break her down so much. They were her parents; it wasn't supposed to be like this.

Regina sat at the bar in Granny's eating her apple pancakes when she noticed Emma in her peripheral. The blonde was sitting by herself in a booth, sleeves of her shirt pulled over her hands and Regina could swear she saw a tear running down her cheek. She had thought Emma would be happy now that she had her family, but it seemed the blonde was more in herself than ever before. Regina looked to her son and took a breath. "Henry? What is it like with Emma and her parents? Is she happy?"

Henry looked up at his adoptive mother, wondering if this was a trick. Then, he remembered the argument the night before at the loft and sighed. "They…they're mean to her. She tries hard to make them happy and do everything right, but it seems like they yell at her for everything." He looked down. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Ma doesn't want people to know."

Regina shook her head, her heart going out to the blonde. "I won't say anything, Henry, but I appreciate you telling me this. Do they treat you okay?"

Henry shrugged. "They're not mean to me, but they don't really talk to me either. I wish Ma and I had another place to go."

Regina pursed her lips at this. She had gotten used to Henry calling Emma 'Ma' and had decided it was okay. She looked at her son and saw him chewing his lip the way his blonde mother did when she had something to say. "What aren't you telling me?"

He sighed and pushed his plate away. "I…I think she hurts herself, mom." He said, looking at her with tears in his eyes. "She waits until she thinks everyone is asleep and then goes out onto the roof. When she comes back, she wraps her arm in bandages. She scares me, Mom."

Regina swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. "Thank you for telling me, Henry."

He blinked and wiped his eyes. "Will you help her? I know you two are friends now."

Regina gave a small smile. "If she lets me."

Emma stayed low in the booth and let out a breath of relief when Regina and Henry left. She then put her head in her hands and quietly cried. Four weeks ago, when she found out she had parents who said they loved her, she was so excited, especially since Mary Margaret had been so kind to her before the curse broke. However, it seemed as though now, Snow and David wanted nothing to do with her. They yelled at her if she left dishes, if she was too loud, if she was breathing the wrong way. When she suggested she and Henry move out, they yelled at her more and accused her of wanting to shame them. Every night it was the same thing and even in the day, David often chastised her for how she ran the station. Snow seemed disgusted by how she dressed and how she parented Henry. It hurt. It hurt so damn much that Emma went back to dealing with the pain the same way she did when she was younger, only she now used her arms instead of her thighs.

"Emma? Child, what's wrong?" Granny asked as she scooted into the booth next to Emma. She put an arm around the blonde. "Oh child, it can't be that bad."

Emma sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I'm fine. I'm sorry I…please don't tell my parents about this." She said, fear in her eyes.

Granny was confused by this but gave a nod as she ran her fingers through blonde locks. "I won't. Emma, you don't have to tell me, but if you need a place to stay, I have plenty of rooms." She looked around and lowered her voice. "I know more about how your parents are than most." She patted Emma's arm but stopped when the blonde winced.

"Sorry, I…I burned myself making dinner." Emma said, showing the bandage. "Thank you. I should get going." Emma said, pulling out some cash and leaving it on the table.

Granny got up and let Emma out. "I'm here for you, child. Do not forget that."

"Thank you." Emma mumbled and left the diner, heading to the station. She made it into her office and locked the door trying to build herself up for when her dad would come in. She turned on her radio and got to work on the paperwork. Emma was lost in her own world when she heard her door open.

"What the hell are you doing?" David yelled. "You're supposed to be working and you're in here listening to music?"

Emma shook her head, looking up at him. "I am working. Yes, the radio is on, but I've almost got all the paperwork done."

David grit his teeth, glaring at her. "Almost done isn't done, now is it?"

"Dad, I've only been here…"

He slammed his hand on her desk. "It's David while we're at work and I don't care how long you've been here. You're worthless, Emma! God, what a disappointment you are!"

Tears filled Emma's eyes, but before she could say anything, they heard a clearing of a throat behind them. Emma felt completely humiliated when she saw Regina staring at them.

"I must have heard that wrong, Mr. Nolan. There's no way a deputy would talk to my sheriff like that, much less a father to his daughter."

David ground his teeth and glared at Emma before turning to look at Regina. "This is none of your business, witch. You're lucky you're still mayor, but you are not in charge of me."

"Maybe not, but as mayor I am in charge of this office." She glared right back at him. "I agreed to let Emma take you on as deputy, but I can take that away." She looked at Emma. "The sheriff just has to say the word."

Emma's heart was pounding as she looked between David and Regina. "I…feel sick." She said before rushing to the bathroom.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Regina hissed at David. "You have your daughter after so long and you treat her as if she's scum on your shoe. You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"It's none of your business, Regina." David said, grabbing his keys. "It's all your fault anyway! You and your blasted curse! If it weren't for your curse and the prophecy, none of it would have happened!"

"None of what?" Regina asked, thoroughly confused.

"None of your business!" He said and left, going to the cruiser to do some rounds.

Regina sighed and knocked on the bathroom door. "Emma? He's gone."

"I'm almost done." Emma called as she splashed her face with water. She looked at herself and shook her head ashamed. When she stepped out, she avoided eye contact and went back int her office.

Regina would not be pushed away, so she followed and closed the door behind her. "Miss Swan, I want the truth. What in the world is going on?"

Emma was trying so hard to stay strong and she shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't get the work done quickly enough, that's all."

Regina shook her head. "That's not all, Emma." She let out a sigh. "We've put our past behind us this last month, Emma, and I thought you knew you could trust me. The way he talked to you in here, is that how it always is?"

Emma just nodded, still not looking at Regina.

Regina sighed again. "What happened to the strong woman who didn't let people knock her down?"

Emma shook her head and wiped at a tear. "She found out that she has parents who were just like all her foster parents and think so little of her! She realized…I realized I'm not worth anything. If my own parents think that, it has to be true."

"Oh Emma no. No that's not true. I really do not understand why they are doing this to you." She looked at the dejected blonde in front of her. "Or why you're letting it get to you like this. You are the strongest person I know and it's like you've been deflated."

Emma played with the pen from her desk. "I always got by with thinking that my real parents were out there somewhere and wanted me. It's what made me strong. So, when I found them and the first thing, they did was criticize me, I felt deflated. I…I thought I finally found home, Regina. A place where I was wanted and accepted, but I'm not and I'll never be." She chewed on her lip and Regina gave her time. "I think I'm going to leave town, Regina. Don't worry, I'll talk to Henry so he'll understand."

"You think he'll understand, Emma? He'll understand his mother leaving him so shortly after him finding her?" She sighed. "I understand that this is hard, I get that they're treating you horribly, but running away will not solve this, Emma." She clenched her jaw a few times. "Come stay with me. Henry has his own room there and you have a choice of guest rooms. Based on what I saw, I can fire David for work hostility, and you can be free of him from here." She looked at Emma. "Or you can quit here and do something else. Emma, you are an adult and can do what you wish."

Emma swallowed. "I…Regina that is very kind, but I have no idea how I'd leave. When I suggested it, they got on me for wanting to humiliate them."

"So what? Emma, who cares? Let them be humiliated. The way they're treating you, they should be!"

"I'll think about it. If you don't mind, I want Henry to stay with you. I hate him hearing what goes on, Regina. Can you pick him up after school?"

"I agree but wanted that to be your choice. I will pick him up." Regina put her hand on Emma's arm. "Please come with Henry. Stay with me."

Emma winced and pulled her arm away. "I will think about it."

"What's wrong with your arm?"

"I burned it cooking. It's fine. Regina, I really need to get back to work."

"What about David?"

Emma's jaw clenched a few times. "I don't think it's up to me considering you saw it."

Regina smirked. "Then he's fired. And don't worry, I'll tell him you fought me on this."

Emma gave a nod, but when Regina left, fear hit her again. David was going to be furious and find a way to blame her for this. The blonde was on pins and needles the rest of the day as she waited for the blow out.

Regina found David and handed him a slip of paper. "You're fired, deputy. The way you spoke to the sheriff back there was not okay."

"I suppose Emma made you do this? I'm not leaving, Regina."

"Actually, Emma begged me not to, but I saw what I saw and heard what I heard. You are fired. You are not to go to the station. If you do, this will go to council and you will be arrested. You are not sheriff or deputy any longer." She stepped closer. "I suggest you realize what a treasure you have now that you found your daughter and stop treating her so poorly."

"You keep your nose out of places it doesn't belong." David said, locking the cruiser. He gave Regina the keys. "You can give these to Emma."

Regina was so confused on what was going on with the Charmings that it was distracting her from her work. She realized it was time to get Henry from school and she decided to walk there. Once there, she saw Snow as the students were released. Snow gave Regina a sickly fake smile. "What are you doing here?"

"Picking up my son."

"Oh, no. See, he's with us now. Emma will be here for him."

Regina smirked. "Actually, he will be staying with me now, per Emma's request."

"What has that stupid girl done now?" Snow said, surprising even Regina.

"What the hell is wrong with you and your husband? You finally have your daughter and you're treating her worse than my mother treated me!"

Snow stepped closer to Regina. "That thing is not my daughter. The breaking of the curse was supposed to kill it as well." She then turned and rushed off, knowing she said too much.

"What the hell was that about?" Regina asked herself before smiling to Henry. "Henry, Emma asked that you stay with me for a bit. I've asked her to stay with us and she said she will think about it. Come, let's go home and get dinner ready and hope Emma will join us."

"Thank you, Ruby. I really appreciate you coming to be deputy. You as well, Thomas. I know it seems like we're not busy enough for three people, but it will be nice to trade off night and weekend shifts. David never took them, and I'm exhausted with them."

Thomas gave a nod. "I understand, Emma. Go and take the night off."

"Yeah, and I'll take tomorrow. We'll only call you if we have to." Ruby said with a smile.

"Thank you so much." Emma said, smiling as much as she could before leaving.

Ruby looked at Thomas. "What the hell is going on with Snow and Charming? I've never known Snow to be so hateful; especially to her own daughter."

Thomas sighed. "I have no idea, Red. This isn't like David either. It honestly makes me so sad for Emma. We should figure this out, if only to make sure Emma is okay."

"I agree. I heard from Granny that Emma was practically sobbing at breakfast today. It's no wonder with the way they talk to her. I mean, if they talk to her like they do in front of us, imagine what it's like when it's just them."

Thomas shook his head. "Well, I'm ashamed of not saying anything to David before. If I hear it again from either of them, I'm standing up for Emma."

Ruby nodded. "Me too. Well, let me know if you need anything through the night."

"Will do. Have a good one."

"You cry at Granny's like a little baby and then you get your father fired?! Emma! What the hell is wrong with you? Seriously, I was so excited to have a child but if I'd have known this was how you'd turn out, I wouldn't have gone through with the pregnancy!"

Emma closed her eyes, trying hard to not let it get to her. "What have I done that's so wrong? Honestly! I broke the curse and ever since then, you both treat me like I'm nothing! You're worse than most foster parents I had." She stood up and started up the stairs. "I'm leaving! I don't care if it humiliates you or not; I'm leaving!"

"Good!" David yelled. "Get out of town and out of our lives! You're not our daughter!"

"Good! I'm glad you feel that way!"

"David is right; you are not our daughter. You're a monster!"

"What did I ever do?!" Emma asked, anguish in her voice.

"You didn't die!" David yelled back. "You were supposed to die when the curse broke, when you killed your mother!"

Emma was so confused. "What?"

"David! That's enough! Emma, go pack and get out of here." Snow said.

Emma tried to get more out of them, but they went from yelling and insulting to ignoring her. Emma grabbed her bag and left, planning on going to Regina's, but realizing she wasn't ready for that. Instead, she went into the woods, parked her car, and started walking on a path.

There she is; my darling daughter. Does she know yet? Will she hate me? Will she even want to know me? She thinks I'm dead, but really, she freed me. Dragons and Faye are special, especially when cursed, but I'm sure even Regina doesn't know that. What's that? Pain. Anguish. My baby girl is hurting so badly. I wish I was strong enough to reach out to her, but as of now, I am not. I hate her being alone.

Regina looked up when she saw a flash of purple light from her mirror. She knitted her brows but saw no more. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was happening somewhere. She made her way to Henry's room and saw him still awake and reading his book. "Henry?"

"Just five more minutes, please." He whined.

Regina chuckled. "That's fine, but I was actually wondering if you still had those walkie talkies from Emma?"

"I have one and she's supposed to have the other. She doesn't always answer though." He said, reaching under his pillow and pulling one out. "Ma?" He asked in it, turning it up so Regina could hear the static.

Regina held her hand out. "May I try?"

"Sure." He said with a shrug, handing it over.

"Emma, this is Regina." She said and listened to the cackle. With a soft voice she sighed. "Emma, please, let me help you."

Emma closed her eyes, throwing the cigarette down and smashing it out. She wiped at her tears before wrapping her now burning arm back in the gauze.

"Emma, please, let me help you."

The voice played over and over in her head. She wanted so badly to reach out to Regina, but she couldn't. She didn't want Regina to see just how weak she really was, nor did she want Henry to know.

"Emma, I'm in my room now. No one else can hear this. Please, if you can hear this, respond to me."

Emma sighed and sat back against the tree, her knees up and her arms resting over them. "I…I'm here." She finally said quietly.

Regina heard the hurt in Emma's voice. "Where are you? What happened?"

Emma rubbed her forehead with her free hand. "They called me a monster and said I was supposed to die when I…when I killed my mother. Regina, I haven't killed anyone. I don't know what they're talking about and I honestly have no idea what I did that was so bad to be called a monster by my own parents."

Regina grit her teeth and shook her head. Killed her mother? What the hell did that mean? "Emma, where are you? I'll come to you so we can talk properly."

"What about Henry."

Regina sighed. "He'll be fine for a little while."

"I…" Emma looked around. "I'm in the woods. I don't know exactly where. I parked and walked and…" There was a puff of smoke and Emma saw Regina in front of her. Quickly, she tried to both stand and wipe her tears, but Regina came over to her and sat down next to her.

"Tell me everything." Regina said softly, taking Emma's hand. Emma told her everything her parents had said and Regina was livid; her magic boiling in her blood. "I don't understand any of this, Emma. I believe you; hell, I've seen it, but I don't get it." She looked at the blonde and could feel her heartache and pain. Without even thinking, she wrapped her arms around the blonde, holding her as she sobbed quietly.

"I hate how weak I am." Emma said between sobs. "I just…my whole life I wanted my parents. I always thought it would be this amazing and happy thing if I found them. I never thought they'd be as bad, if not worse than my foster homes."

Regina rubbed her back, internally cursing the Charmings. "I'm so sorry, Emma. You are not weak by any means. You are dealing with people being horrible to you; people who are supposed to love you and take care of you. There's something weird going on here, and until we figure it out, please come stay with me."

Emma sighed and nodded, unable to fight anyone any longer. "Thank you." She said quietly. As she stood, her bandage became loose and she tried to fix it before Regina saw, but Regina gasped and took Emma's arm.

"What have you done?" Regina asked, looking from Emma's arm to her face, tears filling her chocolate orbs. "Oh Emma."

Emma's tears clung to her eyelashes. "It…it shifts the pain." She mumbled and looked down. She figured Regina wouldn't want her staying at her house now. "I'm sorry. I can stay at Granny's."

Regina let out a huff and shook her head. "You're staying with me, but this has got to stop. I know you're in pain and I do understand that, Emma, but this is not okay."

Emma winced at Regina's sharp tone and honestly felt lower than she'd ever felt before. "I'm sorry."

Regina sighed, knowing she shouldn't have yelled at Emma like that. She was only making the situation worse. She decided she'd do some research and talk to Archie and try to figure out the best way to help Emma. "I'm sorry, Emma. I didn't mean to yell like that." She said softly. "Come on, let's get you home."

Once in the mansion, Regina made sure Emma knew where everything was and was all settled into bed before she used her magic and went to her vault. She sighed as she saw the woman on the chair watching TV and eating popcorn. "Really mother? This is what you do with your time?"

"What else can I do? You're keeping me hidden." Cora said, rolling her eyes.

"You can help me figure out what the hell is going on with the Charmings." Regina said, and then told her the full story. When Regina was done, Cora sighed and Regina noticed the guilty expression on her face. "Mother? What did you do?"

Cora put her hands up. "Regina, I didn't have my heart."

"I know, but what did you do?!"

Cora pinched the bridge of her nose. "I was doing it for you, Regina, and I had no idea they'd do what they did." She glanced at her daughter and took a breath. "I'd heard what you were planning and what the prophecy said about Snow and Charming's daughter. I…slipped her something to terminate her pregnancy."

"What? Well obviously, that didn't work." Regina looked at Cora. "It couldn't have worked, or Emma wouldn't be here."

"Actually, she would be, but her name would be Lily." Cora said. She saw Regina's confusion and magicked up some tea for them both. "I feel as though maybe Emma should be here too."

"I haven't told Emma about you and she's fast asleep right now." Regina sighed. "I'll tell her tomorrow, but mother, please tell me what is going on. I'm so confused."

"When I'd heard about your curse, I honestly was hoping it would give you everything you wanted. However, when I heard the curse could and would be broken by the daughter of your enemy, I thought I'd help out by eliminating the 'Savior' all together. It worked, Snow had a miscarriage, and all was well. Except when I found out it wasn't." Cora looked off to the side and Regina could swear she heard whispering.

"Who's here?"

"An old friend." Came a voice Regina remembered well.

"Maleficent? How? I thought you were dead."

Maleficent came out and took a seat by Cora. "When a dragon is cursed and then slayed in it's dragon form, it actually frees the fairy form from the curse. It left me weak, since I wasn't exactly Faye anymore, but very much alive."

"I'm glad to hear it, but what do you have to do with all of this?" Regina asked, trying not to sound too unkind. "I'm sorry, I'm just trying to figure out how to help Emma."

Maleficent tilted her head. "You care about her."

It wasn't a question, but Regina nodded anyway. "I do. She's hurting badly and I want to help her."

"She is hurting." Mal said, her eyes filling. "I feel it in my soul. I would though, she's my daughter."

Regina was stunned. "What? How?"

"When the Charmings lost their baby, they had only a short time to act. They were so concerned about being the ones to break your curse, that they were desperate. They went to Blue with their request, but she wouldn't help them. She said what they wanted to do was morally wrong and she would never allow one of her fairies to do it. So naturally, they went to the Black Fairy."

Regina's eyes widened. "No! But she's the most evil fairy there is!"

"Yes, and she's the only one that would help them. She delighted in their plan because it involved me, her 'fallen from grace' little sister. They came to my liar after I laid my egg, knowing I'd be too physically weak to fight back. I already knew I was having a girl and would have named her Lily, but they took her and magically transported her to Snow's womb. This way, it would look like their daughter saved everyone. The Black Fairy assured them the child would die when she slayed me to get True Love to break the curse, but she lied. Why? I don't know, but she did. They know the truth of who Emma is, and if the pain she's in is any indication, they are rejecting her."

Regina sat in awe as she listened to the story. Snow fucking White stole a baby, pretended it was hers, and then got pissed when it didn't die? But SHE'S the evil one? She then saw the pain in Maleficent's eyes. "Why haven't you gone to her?"

"I'm too weak yet. I need my strength because once I go to her, it will enact our bond. She will shift and she will need guidance. I'm too weak to shift and guide her and don't want to make things worse for her right now. I want her, Regina, and I know already that I love her, but I cannot risk her shifting and doing damage."

Regina nodded softly. "You're right." She sighed. "But I want to tell her. I need to tell her that she is loved and wanted. Would you be upset if I did?"

Maleficent shook her head. "I'd actually very much appreciate it."

"She has the day off tomorrow. Maybe it's time she also meets The Queen of Hearts. I think she needs as many people standing with her as possible. The poor thing just thinks she's unwanted and worthless."

"Then it's time we show her that's not true." Cora said with a nod. "Then, when both Maleficent and Emma are stronger, it's time the Charmings pay for what they did."

"You're absolutely right, mother." Regina kissed her mother's cheek and then went to Maleficent. "Until you can, I'll take care of your baby girl."

Maleficent smiled and watched Regina go. She then looked at Cora. "She has no idea, does she?"

"What, that the Savior is her True Love? Maleficent, they are both so blind to their feelings! I'm telling you, these girls wouldn't know love if it was staring them in the face."

"Well, we'll just have to change that dear friend." Maleficent said with a smile.