A/N: God, has it really been a month since I last updated? Time flies. I've been going through some things, but I am going to try to make sure I update more than once a month. One a more positive note, I am coming up with another story! This time it'll be an AU of season 3 of OUAT. Of course, it will also be SwanQueen, but there will also be a surprise 'pairing' (though I'm not sure if you can call it that). Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the chapter. Currently, there are only 11 more chapters planned! We're almost there!

Emma's POV

"We'll join you" Regina said before turning her head to face the man.

The man held still for a moment before grinning widely, "Good!" He said. At that moment Emma wanted to wipe the smile off his face. However, he moved to where the torch was on the ground before she could act on that desire. The fire was nearly dead by now, casting only the faintest light around the room. As the man grabbed the torch and stood back up, he said, "Now, we'll have to be really quiet. There aren't many people here, since it's night and all, but there are enough to be a problem."

Emma just rolled her eyes and gestured at the door, impatient, "Lead the way then, we don't have all day."

The man looked like he wanted to say something, but chose to close his mouth and open the door. The two women followed him silently. Regina, who was still exhausted from her use of magic, was supported slightly by Emma.

None of them spoke as they made their way through the dimly lit hallways. Emma thought it looked like something out of a video game, or an over the top fantasy movie. A few times they heard voices, and had to quickly move out of sight, but otherwise their escape was rather uneventful. Eventually, they came to the end of a hallway, and when the man unlocked the door it opened to the outside.

While the sky was still dark, there were hints of sunrise on the horizon. Emma guessed that they must have been unconscious for at least a couple hours. Everyone was bound to be worried, especially Henry. Even just the thought of him wondering where they were made Emma's heart ache. She was his mother, it was her job to take care of him, not worry him out of his mind. She was the Savior, yet she let her son come along in an attempt to save her.

'What a great mother,' She thought sarcastically to herself.

It seemed she was pretty good at failing to do what she was supposed to. 'Like always, you'll never be enough by yourself.'' The thought that could easily be her own tempted her to fall into a pit of self-loathing.

Taking a deep breath, Emma attempted to ground herself back in reality, focusing on the feel of Regina leaning against her and how her perfume had somehow managed to stay on. God, she needed to stop thinking about that.

They followed the man for a while longer, before Emma spoke up, stopping them from continuing.

"Hey," Emma pulled on the man's shirt, "Before we join your group and everything, we need to find the rest of our own group."

The man looked shocked, "There are more of you? Where are they?"

Emma had no clue, which caused her annoyance to increase, so she let Regina answer. In a roundabout way of answering, Regina asked, "Do you know how to get to the tallest building in town from here?" It was too dark for them to see for themselves at the moment. Almost all the lights from buildings were off at the moment.

Emma thought she should have guessed that. It was the most conspicuous landmark she had seen in this town. The building had easily been two stories taller than the rest when she'd seen it.

The man thought silently for a second, before responding, "You mean the church? You want to go back to The Order right after I saved you from them?" He was incredulous.

Regina rolled her eyes, "We didn't know it was a church." Emma could see the irritation on Regina's face. "But yes," she continued, "we need to go there."

The man started to protest, "But we can't—"

"Listen here buddy," After letting go of Regina, Emma stalked closer to him, "Either you take us there, or I make you take us there." She could feel a smile trying to form on her face at the hesitation in the man's face (she quickly resisted, feeling that would be letting the Curse win somehow).

The man took a step back when Emma got too close. He seemed very conflicted, but eventually acquiesced to them, "All right, fine. I'll take you."

He stood still for a moment too long, obviously nervous, and Emma barked at him, "Get a move on it!" He jumped and then started walking. The man was stiff as he led the way. Apparently, sneaking into a jail was all fine and dandy, but going near a church was too much. Emma scoffed at his perceived weakness.

In what seemed like a misguided attempt to ease the tension, the man started up a conversation, "So… what… brings you all to our realm?"

Emma was not in the mood to talk, so she kept silent. It was better for her to focus on her breathing than on how easy it would be to break an arm.

But Regina decided to engage the man, more interested in tactfulness, "There was a cruel wizard in our old realm, and we came here to escape him."

The man glanced back at them, awe written across his face, "Really? The magic you hold must be strong then, to be able to travel across realms."

Regina decided not to answer that, instead changing the subject, "What about you? What's your name? How'd you come to join this group you told us about?" Emma had a sneaking suspicion that Regina had also forgotten the name of the cult-y seeming group.

The man ducked down a small alleyway before continuing, "I am Jamie of Westworth." He sounded extremely proud of his place of origin, "I was born into the Children of Truth," (so that was the name, Emma thought snarkily, how unoriginal), "My father died of a sickness that swept through the town, so the Children helped my mother raise me." He stopped and turned around, a fanatic look in his eyes, "They saved me and my family, and so in return, I will help them in their quest to save the world. It is an honor not many get, so you should be happy!" He then turned around and kept walking.

He's definitely in a cult, Emma thought, creeped out by his demeanor. Her and Regina shared a look, silently communicating their hesitation. Should we really bring this guy near Henry? Was their main concern. But for Emma, there was a rising part that felt they needed to follow this man. That they needed to find out more. Conflicted by this feeling that wasn't so foreign, Emma fought herself internally.

In the end she thought of a compromise, which she told Regina, who had been watching her closely, "We have to keep following him, but he's not going anywhere near Henry, especially alone. Agreed?"

Regina eyed her with an expression Emma couldn't quite read, "Emma, perhaps we should have Henry and someone stay somewhere else, away from this. At least until we can confirm they're safe enough for him to be around."

As Emma began to formulate a response, they heard Snow's voice, "Emma! Regina!" It looked like they would have to continue this conversation with the rest of the group.

Regina and Emma both cringed at Snow's loudness. She ran up to them from their left, and began examining them for injuries.

"We were so worried! How'd you escape? We were just planning on how to break in!" Snow rambled on. Behind her, Emma could see the others coming closer. Henry was just a blur as he launched himself at both his mothers, "Moms!" He cried as they held him back. It felt so good, having him there. Emma wanted to stay like forever, her and Regina holding Henry close. Not having to worry he'll get hurt. But of course, reality brought her crashing back down.

"Who is this man, Emma, Regina?" David asked warily, holding his sword toward Jamie. Henry turned around in their arms to look.

Regina recovered faster than Emma, and answered the question, "This is Jamie, he helped us escape the jail," and then more quietly, so Jamie couldn't hear, "He also likely has some of the answers we're looking for. However, we must keep our guard up."

Jamie, who had been standing awkwardly, full of nervousness, spoke up, "Since we found the rest of your group and all, can we get moving? The guards are likely to notice you're gone by now."

David turned to Regina, slightly lowering his sword, "Are you sure about this?"

Regina, for her part, didn't show any of the past hesitance she had held, "It's not like we have too much of a choice."

After lowering his sword completely, David gestured to Jamie, "Lead the way then."